In this rally, visually impaired kids acted as navigators for drivers, and the deaf and mute as the traffic marshals. Thirty-five cars participated.
Dimple Chopra, with her 12-year old visually impaired navigator, Ajit Kumar
On a sunny winter morning, 35 cars participated in a unique rally, in which the visually impaired acted as navigators for drivers, and the deaf and mute as the traffic marshals. The navigators in each car guided the drivers on the best routes to complete the rally, taking them through landmarks with the help of a Braille map. The aim of the rally, named Gurgaon On Saturday, was twofold — awareness of traffic rules and interaction with the differently abled.
The 48-km rally went through Faridabad road, Mangar village, Sirohi, Dumduma, Badshahpur and Gurgaon. The traffic marshals were assisted at every step by volunteers of Uthaan, an NGO based in Gurgaon.
Speaking to City Spidey, Ajit Kumar, a 12-year-old navigator, said, “It was a great experience to guide the driver. I got to learn so many new short forms such as NH [National Highway].” An enthusiastic athlete, Kumar wants to be a cricketer when he grows up.
Dimple Chopra, the driver being guided by Kumar, said, “It was a beautiful experience, as he shared details of his life with me as well. He spoke of his interest in sports and how he was fond of radio jockeys. His clarity of thought impressed me.”
Sharing his experience, Sanjay Kaushik, founder of Uthaan, said, "The rally turned out to be a success. We wanted people to interact with these kids and learn from them the spirit of life. Further, awareness of traffic rules was also an aim, which was well achieved."
