Handmade products of visually challenged fly off shelves at fair

MADURAI Colourful and attractively printed bags, pouches, jewellery pouches and bedsheets adorned t

Colourful and attractively printed bags, pouches, jewellery pouches and bedsheets adorned the halls of Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO) here on Saturday. What made it even more special was the fact that these were made by skilled visually challenged persons.

The annual exhibition titled ‘Vaanavil-2022’ had on display the products of visually challenged people from Mannarpuram in Tiruchi, including candle sticks, incense sticks, towels, pillow and cushion covers, letter magazine holders, mats, nightwear ‘nighty’ among others.

Eager customers thronged the fair to lay their hands on the items that had prints that were Chirstmassy, polka dotted, even embroidered and beaded ranging from ₹25 to ₹200.

N. Venkatesh Prajna, chief, Department of Cornea, Aravind Eye Hospital, said that the event had been held as part of the Resident Social Responsibility programme.

“The initiative, which is 25-years-old, aims to engage postgraduate medical students to interact with the visually challenged people. It is the doctors who sell the products which helps them understand and empathise with the difficulties of these people. It will instil in them a spark to solve social problems,” he said.

Mr. Prajna added that the fair spotlights the way visually challenged people live with dignity of labour and confidence despite their limitations. The fair creates a win-win situation for them and doctors, he said.

Amidst a sea of customers and sellers, a visually challenged Manimegalai sat weaving plastic wire, knot baskets.