TIRUCHI: The State unit of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) plans to bring out a fortnightly magazine, using Braille in Tamil, to identify and promote talents of visually disabled and champion their cause. It would be the first of its kind in the State and second in the country.

The fortnightly will publish articles, poems, short stories and novels contributed by visually impaired Tamil writers. Titled Paarvaiyattror Kural (Voice of the visually disabled), it aims to be an effective medium for the less privileged in relishing the joy of reading an exclusive journal meant for them.

The journal has other objectives too: to focus problems and issues confronting visually challenged persons and bring them to the notice of authorities for redress. "Serious journalism has been playing an effective role in drawing attention of the authorities and service organisations to our plight in many cases. We decided to start the magazine after realising the impact of the print media," the general secretary of the State unit, M. Sahadevan, told The Hindu here on Saturday.

The printed version of the Braille text would be sent to officials, service organisations and others. "We have also identified subscribers for our magazine," he said.

"There are many noted visually challenged writers and poets like K. Velu of Villupuram and K. Thangarajan of Salem, who have brought out several volumes of books. The visually challenged have to depend on scribes to go through these works. Hence the need for the Braille magazine."

The fortnightly would popularise such works among the visually challenged by regularly publishing them. In fact, Prof. Sahadevan himself had released a book Panithuligal way back in 1997.

The recent budget proposals of State and Central governments were bereft of any scheme for the benefit of visually challenged persons. Reservation quota for employment in government sector was yet to be fully implemented. Political parties should include concrete assurances in this regard during the forthcoming Assembly elections, he said.

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