When he was appointed to the school, many students and guardians had made representations to education department authorities, saying they felt a blind man might not be able to do justice to the job.

Two years down the line, he has become the most popular teacher in the school. And, those who expressed apprehensions about his ability are now glad that they have been proved wrong.

Suresh Biswal, 37, who was born blind, teaches at the ‘Pranakrushna Upper Primary School’ in Gagoei village (Orissa).

A postgraduate from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, Biswal had to run pillar to post to acquire a job that he deserved. Finally, he was appointed in the job under the Disabilities Act (1995), which provides for three percent job reservation to people with disabilities - including one percent for visually impaired people.

Biswal has proved time and again that he was no less competent than others. The school has three teachers for the 120 students studying in Classes 1 to 5. The other two teachers often take leave, providing Biswal a chance to teach all the students.

Teaching all subjects at all five levels, he honed his teaching skills to a point that most students prefer to learn from him. “I do not want to scare the children with thick books and complicated syllabus. I try to teach in a way that helps the students retain knowledge,” Biswal said.At a time when many government-run schools in villages are marked by empty classrooms, poor results and absent teachers, Biswal has brought about an amazing turnaround at the school.

And of course, Sibacharna Biswal, 62, is proud of his only son. ‘We could not believe he will become so popular,” the father said.