Blind students navigate in Chandigarh car rally

Visually-impaired students turned navigators Sunday for a car rally here to create awareness among people that the blind can also use their skills despite their disability.

The drivers were completely unaware of the 50-km route and were dependent on their visually-impaired navigators to help them with directions on the Braille road map.

Over 50 cars took part in the rally organised by voluntary organisation Round Table India.

Sharing his experience, Shubham, a 17-year old student of the Institute of Blind here, said: "I can't explain in words what a wonderful feeling it was. I will tell my friends also to take part next time."

"We are always helped in finding our way but today for the first time I felt so happy giving directions to someone else," said Anuj, an 18-year-old participant.

The drivers said the rally was a unique experience for them, as for most of them it was the first time they drove with a visually-impaired navigator.

"We had fun as it was a different concept. It was such a satisfying experience for me as my navigator could help in navigation," said Ashok Mehta, a city-based businessman who was among the participants.

"It was a fun rally for a cause and participants, including women drivers, along with their friends and family took part. The idea of the rally was to make visually-impaired students show their skills through Braille," said Amit Jain, chairman of the Chandigarh Round Table.