On a quiet bend of a road near Mayfair Gardens in the Capital’s Hauz Khas area, quietly stands a building that is currently being renovated. It houses the National Association for the Blind (NAB) Centre for Blind Women and Disability Studies. A visually impaired girl sitting at the reception smartly points towards the exit when asked for the director’s room. Her smile is winning; I find my way to the designated room. 

Director Shalini Khanna requests the office attendant for lukewarm water, considering my sore throat; I like her instantly. “We’re hoping to set in motion a spa, completely handled by visually impaired women and men, recruited both from our own training centre as also from outside.” 

Drawing inspiration from Japan, U.K. and other countries that have achieved success in similar endeavours, Ms. Khanna, however, highlights the probable obstacles. “In India, especially in the northern parts, people consider massage to be a vain luxury, disregarding their therapeutic and healing properties. Add to that the apprehension of having visually-challenged masseurs and one realises the going can get tough.”

However, talks with airports and other potential employers are on and the venture looks promising. “If we succeed, Oorja will be the first all-visually-impaired-masseuses-staffed spa in India,” Ms. Khanna says cheerfully. 

I get to meet three students, currently undergoing training to be masseuses. Munni, a 17-year-old, dissolves into blushes at my first attempts at conversation. “I like this work. It helps people feel relaxed and happy,” she finally says in a hushed voice, “I will continue learning this and might also take up the advance course offered by NAB.” 

Others present there testify to the magic in Munni’s fingers: “We think she really can be a great masseuse.” The two other students, Gunjan and Debabrati, have completed their vocational training as masseuses at NAB and will now be pursuing graduation from Delhi University.

Saying my goodbyes to the girls, their warden, the course trainer and others, I take my leave — exiting the building following the initial directions given by the receptionist. I do not have the time to take a massage, but I plan to return to Oorja soon and savour the experience.

Source: The Hindu