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Tagore in Braille

Antara Das

Kolkata: For the visually challenged who have been denied access to classic literature, the introduction of a Braille version of Rabindranath Tagore's works augurs well for the future.

Developed by Webel Mediatronics Limited, who have been working for the disabled for over a decade, it comprises 1,40,000 Braille pages which can be used by the visually impaired to savour Tagore's works.

Sense of spelling

"Listening to books being read out and writing with the help of others do not benefit the sightless as, in the long run, they fail to develop a sense of spelling," Goutam Burman, Chief Executive Officer, Webel Mediatronics, said.

The entire exercise, which lasted for about three months and cost Rs. 3,50,000, was funded by Media Lab Asia, who provide information and communication technology benefits in the fields of health, livelihood, education and disability.

On Wednesday, the Braille version of Tagore's complete works was donated to the State Central library. A Braille transcription of `Galpoguchcha' — Tagore's collection of short stories — was also donated to some of the schools and institutes for the visually challenged.

Webel Mediatronics, a wholly owned subsidiary of the West Bengal Industry Development Corporation Limited, has already developed a totally integrated system of software and other devices to assist the visually challenged in teaching, learning, typing and printing.

Government aid

This system, developed with financial assistance from the Central and State Government, is already being used in 110 schools across the country.

It also has a website that provides the Braille versions of about 500 textbooks in English and 12 Indian languages.

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Tagore in Braille

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