For K. Mallesh, Friday will remain a memorable day. He received the best teacher award from District Education Officer Rajeswara Rao at the Collectorate in the presence of several other teachers. The award is all the more special for Mr. Mallesh as he holds the distinction despite being visually-challenged.
Mr. Mallesh, a native of Kohir in Medak district, lost his vision at the age of two when he was suffering from small pox. Efforts to restore his eyesight did not succeed. Determined to prove himself, Mr. Mallesh faced many challenges and emerged successful. He joined government service in 1989 as a special grade teacher and is now working as a teacher at the Government High School in Jarasangam. He stays at Zaheerabad.
“After my graduation in BA, I completed B.Ed., MA, M.Ed., BA (English Literature) and Diploma in Education for the blind. Usually, I would record a book being read or I would write in Braille to practice,” Mr. Mallesh told The Hindu .
While writing the examinations, he was also assisted by scribes.
B. Kishore, who works in the same school, also stays at Zaheerabad, which is a fifteen-minute drive from the school. Mr. Kishore picks up Mr. Mallesh every day and takes him to school. “For the past five years, Mr. Kishore has been taking care of me while going to school. He even waits for an hour when I attend extra classes in school in the evening hours,” said Mr. Mallesh. All his three children have completed their B.Ed.
Another accomplishment of Mr. Mallesh is the fact that he has gotten about a dozen visually-challenged children admitted to school so far.
Stating that he was happy on receiving award, Mr. Mallesh said, “I feel happier when a student meets me and says I am successful in life. That gives me more satisfaction than awards.”
