India’s first-of-its-kind centre, dedicated to persons with disabilities (PwDs), ‘Enablemart’, was left open for the public on Oct 15. The centre is an initiative by Blind People’s Association (BPA) in collaboration with Torch It Foundation.  

Managed by PwDs, and designed for the empowerment and inclusion of PwDs, the mart was unveiled on White Cane Day, a day to promote accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities.

“This unique centre is set to make a substantial impact with more than 450 assistive aids and devices available under one roof, focusing on visually impaired, low vision, hearing impaired, and locomotor impaired individuals, to name a few,” said Dr Bhushan Punani, director of BPA. He added, “The latest technologies, along with AI-based algorithms and devices, have been designed to make life easier for the differently abled.” 

This is a unique experience-cum-sensitization centre with devices like smart canes that enable the user to walk without fear of stumbling across something. The cane will vibrate if any obstacles come within eight metres of it.

Another device included AI reader glasses, which reads anything by scanning the text in front of them. There is a range of other products made for classrooms to help blind students learn with ease like tactile drawing and diagrams, and puzzles and games for visually impaired children.

IPS GS Malik, the commissioner of Ahmedabad, remained present for the inauguration. He was joined by deputy commissioner of police, cyber crime branch, Ajit Rajian.

Malik, after what must have been a busy day at the office due to the India Vs Pakistan match in Ahmedabad a day before, attended the event to address the needs of differently-abled people. Talking to Gujarat Samachar, Malik said, “This initiative is indeed an amazing initiative, and the prices of these products are quite affordable so that any blind person can buy them.”

Who is the social innovator?

Hunny Bhagchandani, under the Torch It Foundation, has innovated a range of products to help the differently-abled and has also appeared in shows like Shark Tank. An IIM-A alumnus, he believes in innovation that promotes independence and dignity for the differently-abled.

What’s next for BPA?

After the terrific performance of India at the Asian Games with a tally of 100 medals, taking the Paralympics are the students of BPA.

A total of eighteen specially-abled people were selected from Gujarat for the Asian Para Games 2023, out of which four are from BPA.

Said Rakesh Bhatt,  orthopaedically handicapped, who qualified for the Games, “I have been associated with BPA for the last six months, and they played a big role in supporting me reach this far.” Bhatt added,“I am a long jump athlete and will represent India in the coming Paralympics. I just want to earn a gold medal for this country, the BPA, and, of course, my state, Gujarat.”

Another athlete is Khodaji Thakor, partially blind has been associated with BPA for the last five years. Thakor said, “I have been selected for the 700-metre running event in the Paralympics 2023.”

Both the athletes believed that being differently abled is their superpower. “If other normal athletes can bring more than 80 medals home, why can’t we?,” they say.

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