President accepts book from the visually impaired

The president of India, Pranab Mukherjee has called upon people to look inwards to find the real meaning of life and understand the capacities and capabilities of those who suffer from disabilities. Calling them the real heroes of the nation, he said that the blind protagonists do not claim to see into the future, but they thread their way through the unseen world of creative exploration with cheerful audacity. They are almost immune to the affliction that blights them.

Accepting the first copy of Sipra Das’s book, The Light Within: A Different Vision of Life, at an impressive function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Auditorium, he called upon the people to enhance the capacities of the differently-abled to enable them to contribute in diverse fields.

Earlier two visually impaired girls, Prachi and Pragya presented the first copy of Sipra Das’s book to the president. Justice P Sathasivam, chief justice of India, LK Advani, MP and Brinda Karat, CPI (M) politburo member graced the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Sathasivam drew the attention of the people to various judgments focusing on the facilities to be ensured for the differently-abled persons. While, LK Advani said that such persons can perform the tasks that even the normal people find difficult to accomplish. Brinda Karat called upon the legislatures to enact laws for the benefit of the differently-abled while Raj Chengappa, editor-in-chief, The Tribune introduced the books to the audience.

Published by Niyogi Books, The Light Within captures the extraordinary lives of the visually-impaired through images that stimulate genuine empathy and a certain degree of awe.