By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Continuing its commitment to creating a more inclusive India, JSP Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel & Power, opened ‘Jindal Gyan’, an advanced assistive devices library in Bhubaneswar, catering specifically to the needs of the visually impaired. On April 11, 2024, Shri Bishnupada Sethy, IAS, Principal Secretary of the SSEPD Department, Government of Odisha, inaugurated the library in the presence of Shri Prashant Hota, President and Group Head (CSR), Prof. Srikant Maharana, Head of the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, Shri Sanyasi Behera, OAS, President, Odisha Association of the Blind, and Shri Abhaya Mohanta, Secretary, We4You.
The library is located at Khandagiribari of the city and will be managed by We4You Charitable Trust, a renowned social organisation. The first of its kind initiative in the city aims to empower visually impaired Divyangs by facilitating their access to state-of-the-art assistive devices, leveraging advanced technologies.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bishnupada Sethi, IAS, appreciated the innovative efforts of JSP Foundation and We4You to empower visually impaired persons. “When we plan to give good devices to visually impaired persons, we have to search for them. This library offers highly advanced devices that can assist in choosing the most suitable option. I am confident that this library will greatly improve the lives of individuals with visual impairments, making their daily tasks more manageable and enjoyable,” he said.
Shri Prashant Hota said, “Inspired by the vision of Smt. Shallu Jindal ji, Chairperson, JSP Foundation, we always envision building an inclusive India. This library is one of our small efforts in this direction. We are optimistic that this library will serve as a model for making a positive impact on the lives of visually impaired individuals in Bhubaneswar.”
The library promotes inclusion and independence among the visually impaired community by utilising advanced technology, which also increases accessibility. It offers a wide range of over 100 advanced assistive devices, including speech recognition devices, mobility aids, and communication devices, which are sourced from different regions in India and abroad. Visually impaired individuals can use the latest devices to enhance their quality of life, encompassing daily needs, education and health.
Professionals will provide training to ensure proper use of the devices. In addition to facilitating exposure and access to affordable Assistive Technology (AT) solutions for the visually impaired Divyangs, the library will also support the research and development of a diverse range of assistive technologies to empower those with visual impairments. Audio books on a wide range of subjects developed by WE4YOU will also be accessible at this library.
