In an attempt to raise fund for the Institute for the Blind in Sector 26, Chandigarh, NGO Round Table India will organise a unique car rally-'Blind Man Rally' (BMR) - on February 2 from 9am onwards in the city.

Following instructions from navigators, 100 visually impaired people will drive cars in the second editition of BMR which will be flagged off from the institute and will also end there. 

The navigators will give instruction on the basis of Braille route map and the registration fee of the participant is Rs. 1,500.

When asked about the risk involved in the rally since it will be conducted by blind people, Amit Jain, chairman, Chandigarh Round Table, said, "It is a safe rally. The drivers will be given a particular speed for specific distance. The average speed will be 30 to 40 km per hour. There will be surprise check points and the drivers will be given penalty points if they found overspeeding or underspeeding in relation to the given instruction. Three participants with the least penalty points will be adjudged winners and cash prizes will be given to them and their navigators."

Atul Luther, convener, BMR, said, "We conduct this rally in different metros across the country.

Last year, we started it in Chandigarh. With this campaign we were able to collect Rs. 1 lakh fund and half the share went to the Institute for the Blind and the other share went to the Round Table Trust."

"The volunteers that we took from the institute last year appreciated our initiative a lot. They found it a very new and exciting experience in which they get the chance to navigate the other person throughout the route,' he added.

Jain said, "The idea of this rally is to make the visually impaired students experience the excitement of a car rally and exhibit their skills and vision beyond the limitation of sight.

source: Hindustan Times