Karnataka - Bangalore   

Seeking help by blowing whistle

BANGALORE: If you hear a sharp whistle as you wait to cross the road or board a bus, it need not always be a policeman. Instead, it could be a visually impaired person reaching out to you for help.

On the occasion of Helen Keller Day on Friday, the Indian Disabled League (IDL) Foundation, in association with the Bangalore City Traffic Police, distributed whistles and launched its White Cane with Whistle programme.

Samuel Manoharan, a visually impaired man who commutes a lot, said that a whistle could really help them. “If we want to cross the roads, we keep saying excuse me, and in the din around the place no one hears us. So, even if they are nice people, often they do not hear us or even realise that we are blind.”

Minister for Women and Child Development P.M. Narendraswamy, observing that it was a novel concept, said: “Citizens must come forward and help those in need. With this level of traffic, it is important to have such initiatives.”

Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Welfare, was present.

K. Eshwar Prasad, ACP (Traffic), sang a song that he had written for the visually impaired. Through his poetry and his speech, he asked the visually impaired to become independent and walk on the roads without fear.

“You are not alone. It is the duty of all citizens to help them out, and the traffic police will ensure that all blind persons are helped on the roads,” he said.

“The whistle will alert the policemen who will offer help,” he added.

“Whenever they (visually impaired people) want to cross the road or want to find a bus or search for an address they can blow the whistle and ask for help,” said P.K. Paul of the IDL Foundation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

UGC National Education Test
Four arrested for attempt to murder
BBMP teams out advising people on prevention of chikungunya
Arrested
R.P. Jagadish is media adviser
Lokayukta police swoop down on 10 officials
‘BJP holding independent MLAs captive’
Suggestions on draft policy for women invited
SSLC supplementary results out
Workers spending more on non-food items
Glaring loopholes in PDS system, says Minister
R. Srikumar appointed DG-IGP
Appointment notified
Drug abuse more harmful the younger you are
Court upholds land acquisition
Power fence firm moves court
Custodial death cases on the rise, say human rights activists
NAMA belies hopes of component makers
IISc SC/ST body wants better deal
Seeking help by blowing whistle
Aiyar blames bureaucracy for ills in social sector
State modifies PPP policy for public health system

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu