Lucknow: In a landmark step towards inclusive education and empowerment of persons with disabilities, Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) inaugurated the first state university-level Braille library in Uttar Pradesh, under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The new facility provides students with access to over 4,000 Braille books across 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, along with a modern reading room to enhance the learning environment for visually impaired students.
Tribute to Louis Braille and Official Inauguration
The event began with a tribute to Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille script, on his birth anniversary. Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh laid a floral wreath at Braille Press premises before formally inaugurating the state-of-the-art Braille library located on the first floor of the Swami Vivekananda Central Library by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
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Lighting the Lamp with Visually Impaired Students
The inauguration ceremony commenced with lamp lighting along with visually impaired students, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment. The Vice-Chancellor encouraged students to be self-reliant and directed the university administration to provide modern computer training to further enhance their educational opportunities. He emphasized that the Braille script is a powerful educational tool that connects visually impaired individuals with mainstream society.
Extensive Braille Collection and Reading Facilities
According to State Minister Narendra Kashyap, the library houses over 4,000 Braille books based on the National Education Policy, covering all 54 UG and PG courses offered by the university’s Braille press. A modern reading room accommodating more than 150 students has also been created to provide an effective and comfortable study environment for visually impaired learners.
Plans to Expand to 10,000 Braille Books
Professor Yashwant Veroday, spokesperson and librarian of DSMNRU, said that the university aims to increase the Braille collection to 10,000 books by the end of this year. In addition to academic textbooks, the library will also offer novels, plays, biographies of eminent personalities, and other literary works.
Open Access for External Users
In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of “Education for All”, the Braille library will not be restricted to university students. External visually impaired individuals can become members through special, occasional, and corporate membership options. Special membership is available to scholars, researchers, and local residents with proper identification, while occasional membership allows access for up to six months. Corporate membership enables organizations in Lucknow to provide library access to their employees.
Gratitude from Visually Impaired Students
Students expressed heartfelt thanks to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the university administration for this initiative. Braille research students, including Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, Rohit, Ram Sakal, Manoj, and Ajay, said that while Louis Braille gave them the gift of reading, the university has provided a respectful environment and opportunities to progress academically and socially.
This first-of-its-kind Braille library at a state university in Uttar Pradesh is expected to significantly empower visually impaired students, promoting inclusive education and enabling them to excel in academics and beyond.
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