Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that is accessible to visually impaired people

A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that is accessible to visually impaired people

Accessibility October 12, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

From Durga mantras in Braille to the idol of the goddess made in iron nails, the Samaj Sebi Sangha Puja in Kolkata has taken several measures to make the pujo pandal accessible to visually impaired people.

Located in Ballygunge, the organizers have made an exception this year by allowing visually impaired visitors to touch and feel the artwork.

As you enter the pandal, you are greeted with a large installation of the face of goddess Durga, with her third eye made of 12,000 iron screws. This enhances the sensory experience for blind visitors, something they miss out on with clay idols.

The artefacts have been created out of iron nails and screws to enable people who are visually impaired to touch and feel the beauty of the pandal. There is also a Braille path throughout the pandal so that blind people can walk around independently and enjoy the experience. – Arijit Maitra, Organizing Committee, Samaj Sebi Sangha Puja

As you walk through the pandal, the words Ma and Jai Ma Durga can be seen written in Braille on the walls. Every visually impaired visitor is given the pujo itinerary and the concept idea in Braille.

The artefacts on display have been prepared by craftsmen and artisans after months of consultation and collaborations with students from various blind schools in Kolkata.

“We have interacted with a few blind schools like the Blind Boys’ Academy of the Ramakrishna Mission and Lighthouse for the Blindto understand how they perceive the experience of Durga Puja”, says Maitra. “They told us how they feel when they listen to the Mahalaya, and that the sound of wooden planks being sawed and hammered reminds them that the pujo is coming. We have tried to incorporate all this into the pandal”.

The result is a unique blend of tradition and accessibility. Like the use of nail-thread artwork taught in blind schools and an artefact that shows how the hands of a blind person act as their eyes.

The concept has been appreciated by visitors. “I think it’s a very wonderful idea and in doing this, the pandal has lived up to its name, of samaj seba or social work”, said Raja Datta, a homestay owner, who lives in the neighbourhood. Comments like “Awesome” and “Fantastic” have been posted on the pandal’s Facebook page as well.

Apart from making visually impaired people comfortable here, the pandal is also trying to create awareness about eye donation. “We have an eye bank in front of the pandal with pledge forms and certificates”, says Maitra.

Clearly this pandal is truly dedicated to the cause of public service.

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 1 of 3)
  • Education,Employment
    A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS
  • Get-hooked
    “UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 1 of 3)

Kush Kanodia carrying the torch at the 2020 London Paralympics

Get-hooked

“UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia

Image of a Caruna swivel seat on the passenger seat of a car

Technology

Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily

A LinkABILITY session in progress

Education

A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

My disability taught me to unlock my potential - My Take by Dhanya Ravi

Get-hooked

11-year-old Tanishq’s culinary skills are a treat to watch on his YouTube channel ‘Wonderfud’

Coronavirus-news

Singer Karthik’s first single ‘Faryad’ shows life of a youngster with autism during lockdown

Technology

#TechThursdays – Kibo XS, world’s 1st intelligent personalised scanning & reading companion

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.