🚗👀🙌 Yesterday was a day filled with adventure, learning, and bonding as I participated in the Thryve Digital Brailles on Wheels event in Chennai. This amazing event is a collaboration between Thryve Digital Health LLP , the National Association for the Blind (NAB), and the Madras Motor Sports Club. The event was hosted by the Savera hotel, where we started our journey.
My navigator for the day was Sharmila, a young woman who is currently studying sociology. She is smart, sweet, and intelligent, and she helped guide us through the rally by explaining the directions in Braille. My sister Nirmala and my brother-in-law N K Raju accompanied us, and we all worked together as a team to complete the journey.
The event was flagged off with our car in the forefront by the actress Ms Namitha, and we received best wishes from Ms Neena Reddy, JMD of Savera Hotel, and officials from Thryve and NAB. With their encouragement, we set out on our journey.
Throughout the journey, we had to navigate our way through different locations in Chennai, stopping at various points to sign where marshals were stationed and responding to questionnaires by observing the important places on the route. Sharmila would explain the directions in Braille, and my sister would note them down and pass them on to my brother-in-law to guide me in driving.
Despite our careful attention, we got lost at two points in the rally. However, we persisted and with great effort, managed to get back on track. It was during these moments that we experienced the kindness of locals who helped us find our way. Some suggested that we use GPS, while others guided us before we even had to ask, having been asked by our fellow participants previously. Some even advised us to call the people where we were going to confirm the correct address. It was a hilarious experience, and it reiterated the importance of asking for help when we need it.
Through this event, I got to know Sharmila better and formed a strong bond with her. I came to know about her dreams, and her aspiration to become an IAS officer. It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about her experiences as a visually challenged person and to share my own thoughts an
d feelings with her. I hope that our friendship will continue to grow and flourish. I sincerely wish to see her as an IAS officer as desired by her.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all the organizers of this fantastic event for giving all of us an amazing opportunity to learn, bond, and create lasting memories. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
#BraillesOnWheels #ThryveDigital #NationalAssociationForTheBlind #MadrasMotorSportsClub #SaveraHotel #newfriends
