Chennai, May 13, 2017 – Amway India in association with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled have set up a Braille & Audio library located at Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, Plot no 120, Shri Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, 1st main road, Velachery, Chennai. The Braille & Audio library was inaugurated by well-known Actress & Writer Ms. Suhasini Maniratnam, and Mr. Rajeev Dasgupta Vice President Manufacturing & Projects, Amway India.
The objective of setting up this library is to ensure easy access to braille books, besides which the initiative also aims at encouraging braille reading and writing amongst the visually impaired students helping them in building language proficiency. This library will cater to the individuals across age groups, who otherwise have limited access to books. The library, as of now, is stacked with over 200 books including academic books, fiction, self-help, general knowledge etc. Besides Braille books, the library also provides an MP3 player facilitating the usage of books in the audio format.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suhasini Maniratnam, Actress & Writer, said, “I am happy to be associated with this project of Amway. I know many home makers who have turned into entrepreneurs thanks to Amway. I am delighted to hear about this library. Any library is a great service and this one which is a braille library is a much better and noble cause. All of us,so called good samaritans live in our cocoons. But initiatives like this make us open our hearts mind and vision into other spectrums of the society that are disadvantaged. As a trustee of Naam foundation, I am ready to lend my personal and 20 coaches and the 200 odd single women from Naam and all our supports to endeavors such as this one. I am eager to visit Amway’s Dindugal project as well where a lot of rural development and empowerment plans are underway. Thank you for inviting me to be part of today’s event.”
Talking about the initiative, Mr.Rajeev Dasgupta, Vice President, Manufacturing & Projects, Amway India said,“We have been working tirelessly towards the welfare of the visually impaired with a firm belief that education and knowledge is the key to the future that create opportunities transcending physical limitations. A Braille library is a key component of that strategy. This year alone we have supported opening of 32 braille libraries across the country, which are expected to benefit more than 11,000 visually impaired individuals. We are delighted to have partnered with Samarthanam Trust for helping us set up Braille libraries in South India.”
“Digital Book Library, started in 2008, is aimed at making education accessible for the print-disabled including visually impaired, dyslexic children and those with verbal processing difficulties. The main idea of the centre is to smoothen the education for visually impaired kids who have to go from pillar to post to get their books read,” says Mahantesh, Founder Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the disabled. “We are extremely happy to associate with Amway India for this venture” added Mahantesh.
