An audio books and Braille library was inaugurated at MVP Colony-based Helen Keller Memorial Association for the Blind. The library which will be free and open to all aims at empowering and encouraging Braille reading and writing among the visually challenged people.
The initiative is a joint effort of Amway India and Bengaluru-based Samarthanam, an organisation which works for the welfare of differently-abled people.
Reading habit
“This initiative is an attempt to support the education of visually challenged students. We have so far set up 32 Braille libraries across the country which benefits over 20,000 people. This is the 33rd library that we are setting up,” said Gursharan Cheema, senior vice-president-North and South, Amway India. He added that the library aims at housing more than 1,000 Braille books which will include novels, self-help and literature books. Currently, the library has 100 paperbacks which are in Braille and a computer in which audio books have been stored. These books are available in English and Telugu.
While the paperbacks have to be read at the library, people can copy the audio clips of the books in their CDs or pen drives.
“The audio books are supported on mp3 players and mobiles. The books will be available on the phone, just one touch away. However, we are also keeping the paperbacks as we want the children to inculcate reading habit,” said Buse Gowda, Trustee of Samarthanam.
Most of the books are related to academics and general knowledge.
There are also books for preparation of competitive exams.
