Pramit Bhargava, an alumnus of IIT-BHU and IIM-B, is behind the Louie app that enables visually impaired users to use popular apps with voice commands.

A drug reaction 20 years ago affected the retina of Pramit Bhargava, an alumnus of IIT-BHU and IIM-B. Since then, he slowly started losing his vision, and by 2012, it had dropped to a point when he could not read anything. Losing his vision had impacted Bhargava, both mentally and physiologically. Low on confidence, the 53-year-old even started questioning himself.

New Delhi, December 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India has taken numerous measures to ensure a positive change in the lives of persons with disabilities, as he gave a call for collectively working towards ensuring opportunity and improving accessibility for them.   

Modi's comments were in the context of the UN choosing the theme of "Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World” to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Ponnani: "The moment my vision started blurring, God lit up a lamp for me in the form of my mother,  said 26-year-old Sreeraj soon after securing Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) of the University  Grants Commission. The youth secured JRF in his third attempt.  Sreeraj was born with 95 per cent  visual impairment and he could not do anything without others' help. His mother's daily routine  included taking him to school in the morning and bringing him back home in the evening. 

3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). On this Day WHO joined partners to celebrate "a day for all". This theme reflects a growing understanding that disability is part of the human condition. Almost everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life. Despite this, few countries have adequate mechanisms in place to respond fully to the needs of people with disabilities.

Aimed at helping the visually impaired, it fits into a smartphone’s port

Four students from the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras have come together to develop a handy device for the visually impaired.

The assistive device fits into the port of a smartphone and helps them to type, learn and read braille content. It also allows them to self-navigate through space and recognise people and objects.