DEVNAR Founder Chairman Dr. A. Saibaba Goud and the Correspondent Mrs. A. Jyothi Goud receiving accolades from top dignitories Devnar Foundation for the Blind - Scaling new hights

‘DEVNAR’ is a combination of two and motivation to make something special happen. words DEV (God) and NAR (Man), The avowed objective of Devnar Foundation for highlighting the fact that there is God the Blind is to provide opportunities for the visually in every man. If the entire humanity is challenged children in on international the family of God, the visually standards so that they can be absorbed in the challenged children are special mainstream of society as socially productive members in it. And so, they should be individuals. In Devnar School, education, boarding given every possible opportunity to and lodging are absolutely free and any Visually develop their potentialities and latent Challenged child is admitted during any part of talents. the year. Devnar Foundation tries to unleash the Devnar Foundation started the school on 10-7- incredible capacity of students by giving 1992 with four students in a rented house. Within them value-based education and a span of 18 years, the school has grown to the enabling them to realize that within present stature with 400 students, housed in a three them can be found the skill, knowledge storeyed building owned by the Foundation. This phenomenal growth is due to the undoubted ability and unflinching enthusiasm of the founder Dr. A. Devnar Foundation for the Saibaba Goud, and his wife Mrs. Jyothi, the Blind provides all that is dedicated staff, many philanthropists and donors. necessary to bring out the There is a steady influx of visitors to the school. best in the students. Their Politicians and pressmen, beauty queens and abilities outshine the bureaucrats, scientists and sportsmen, disability to such an extent philanthropists and film stars come and meet the that the visitors leave the students. Some of them struggle to keep back the school humbled by the tears at first, but after interacting with them, it is not tears of pity they shed, but tears of admiration. unconquerable spirit, perseverance and “An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man,” said Dr. Emerson. True to this philosophy, performance of the the visionary behind Devnar Foundation is Dr. A. students. Saibaba Goud. He is a crusader against ‘darkness’ Our Founder & Managing Trustee

Dr. A. Saibaba Goud, M.S., Ph.D., receiving Padma Shri Award from Her Excellency Smt. Pratiba Patil, President of India - 2009

and a champion of Community Ophthalmology. for Prevention of Blindness, A.P. He is the first person in India who was awarded (N.S.P.B) and member of Indian Red Ph.D in Community Ophthalmology. Cross Society. Dr. Goud is the recipient of the following He works tirelessly for the development awards: of Devnar School for the Blind. The infrastructure and equipment are 1. Padma Shri Award updated constantly and the strength 2. Dr. B. C. Roy National Award – 2004 has increased from 4 in 1992 to 400 in 2010. 3. President of India National Award for the welfare of people with disabilities 1997 He has presented papers at the national and international conferences, 4. President of India Award for ‘Best Institution published many articles in English and in the Country 2002’ Telugu leading newspapers and 5. Rastriya Gaurav Award journals. His radio talks and 6. K.R.Datta Award interviews are well received by the audience for their 7. J.S.Mahashabde Award educative and informative value. 8. Duke of Edinburgh Award He has also authored three books - one 9. Drishti Pradatha Award in English and two in Telugu. 10. E.V.Srinivasan Award 1. The Organ of Sight (in English) 11. Dr. Agarwal Gold Medal 2. Nayanabhiramam (in Telugu vernacular) 12. Vijayashree Award 3. Meeru-Mee Kanulu (book on eye 13. Siva Reddy International Award care for neo-literates in Telugu He is also the President of ‘Help Us Organization vernacular) for Leprosy Patients’, President of National Society Our Correspondent

with joy that she is destined to be a mother not only to her own children but also to hundreds of children who study and go out of Devnar School. She is a life member of Indian Red Cross Society, AP Branch, National Association for the Blind, and All India Women’s Conference. On December 3rd 2008 (the World Disabled Day) Mrs. Jyothi Goud received the National Award from the Vice President of India as Devnar School was adjudged the best institute for empowering the visually challenged. Mrs. A. Jyothi Goud, true to her name, is really the light of the institution, dispelling darkness by her gracious STAFF presence and ever vigilant care. She is dynamic and resourceful and her best In the life of an institution, the importance of efforts are spontaneously given to teamwork and interdependence cannot be improve every aspect of the Institute. underestimated. The Visually Challenged Children She is a loving and compassionate have special needs and hence the teachers have mother to the students and the guiding multifaceted responsibilities and roles. This calls for force behind the organization. Her a dynamic approach and a constant renewal of unlimited enthusiasm in making the skills. children excel in dance and music is Devnar School has an experienced Principal, Mrs. remarkable and praiseworthy. She is Lily Egbert, who sets the pace for academic the fulcrum of the institute. excellence in the school; a Headmaster, Mr. K. In 1992, she fully shared Dr. Goud’s Srinivas Reddy, who co-ordinates all educational enthusiasm for launching the Devnar programmes conducted here and also about 35 Foundation for the Blind, though her teaching staff who give unstinted support to all own children were small at that time. curricular and co-curricular activities. Most of the Now, eighteen years later, she realizes teachers are specially trained to teach the Visually OUR STAFF

Challenged students and the parent-teachers Class XII. At present, the curriculum is based bring in a depth of understanding to the on the State syllabus; and the Assignment teaching process. Highly qualified Tests, Unit tests, Quarterly, Half yearly and educationists and professionals, who do Annual exams are conducted on the dates voluntary service, enhance the learning specified by the government. Our students experience of the students. have been appearing for S.S.C. public examination since 1997, and ever since the The administrative and non-teaching staff see school has been getting 100% results every to the efficient functioning of the institution. year. All of them pass in first division and The resident wardens take care of the needs many get distinctions. of the students and the supporting staff maintains the cleanliness of the premises. Elocution, essay writing, Braille reading and Every year two volunteers sponsored by an writing competitions are held periodically. organisation called Project Trust Centre from Quiz programmes are also conducted. U.K and teach our students for a period of Students take part in inter-school competitions one year staying on the school premises. and win many prizes. Computer education Besides these volunteers, we have had starts from VI class onwards. Besides volunteers from Germany, Denmark, USA classroom teaching, study material is and Australia. The cultural exchange is provided in audio and Braille format for the beneficial for our students. benefit of the students. Devnar School This school won the “Best Institution in India for the Visually Challenged” award in the year It is a residential school offering English 2003 and again in 2008. Devnar School is medium education from kindergarten to now acclaimed as the best institution in India. different applications in Microsoft Office, different Activities languages like C, C++, Java, etc and to access Internet like browsing, creating E-mail ID, sending mails, opening the Emails etc. It can make visually challenged person comfortable to use Microsoft Office and other software products. COMPUTER TRAINING FOR The visually challenged person can install JAWS if he or she so desires. VISUALLY CHALLENGED Kurzweil Devnar School for the Blind is a center for best computer education. This is the Kurzweil is a software used for reading printed text. first institution in India, to start special A scanner is used to scan the printed text. The computer training for visually Kurzweil software commands the local scanner, challenged in the year 2000. We have connected to the computer, to scan the printed the best faculty to teach computers with matter and to obtain the image of the text page. the help of special software. Special The scanned image is in the form of photograph of software like JAWS, KURZWEIL, MAGIC the text page. This photographic text is then etc, is being used for teaching computer converted to actual characters by OCR (Optical courses. A class-wise syllabus has been Character Recognition) software incorporated in prepared. We are training the children Kurzweil monitor screen. Screen reader transforms to operate the system using KEYBOARD the text on monitor screen to voice. In this way the with the help of special software. visually challenged person can listen to the printed text interpreted by screen reading software. Software for Visually challenged are: Jaws Magic Magic is the software used by a person with low Job Access With Speech is a screen vision. Here the text is magnified so that a person reading software and, in short, it is with low vision can see the text on the screen with called JAWS. This software is specially the help of this software. The person can use mouse developed for the visually challenged. as he can see the magnified image of cursor on It is based on Microsoft Windows the monitor screen. MAGIC has screen reader operating system and useful for many option also. Therefore, in addition to seeing the Microsoft software products. JAWS enlarged text, a person can hear what he sees. basically converts the normal computer Enhances the learning abilities of the partially into a talking computer, thus enabling sighted children who use the zoom text on the the blind person to work on computer monitor. independently. We use JAWS to teach The students are able to score more than 95% in science with the help of these assistive devices and the exhibit “fractional distillation of petroleum” won a silver medal in the 93rd National Science Congress. Devnar Printing Press Prints the text-books prescribed in the State syllabus in Braille for the benefit of the visually challenged students studying in . Devotional and religious books are also printed and Devnar School got entry into Prisma Magnifier the LIMCA BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS for Prisma is a teaching aid, which magnifies the printing Bhagawad Gita in Braille. Printing text and diagram on the monitor of the of text-books is sponsored by companies like Computer or TV, and it can be adjusted to Amway, U.B.S., SEW., HAL and others. the comfort level of children with low vision. Dictionaries and grammar books are also printed in Devnar School and supplied to Mountbatten Electronic Braille Writer other schools. Stories in English, Hindi and Our students use the keyboard to print the Telugu add to the reading pleasures of matter in Braille, which is transcribed to students. normal text and vice versa in a matter of Library – DIGITAL & BRAILLE seconds. The equipment enables the students to write examinations on their own, Devnar School has a digital library, which has dispensing with the usual practice of compact discs of educational material employing scribes as was done earlier. prescribed in S.S.C. syllabus, and also discs on general knowledge. Some popular stories Science Lab in CD format are also in the library. Students Even with Braille text - books and embossed are provided with CD players. Devnar School diagrams, detailed structures are hard for the has very good selection of books numbering students to perceive, because of their intricacy over 1000 and is considered the best school and complexity. To get over this difficulty, library in our country. The students enjoy Devnar Science Lab has more than 50 tactile reading the books during their library period models ingeniously designed and prepared and other free time. Every year new books by the Biology teacher, Mr. Egbert Dawson. are added to the library. Advanced Learning and Research Ramananda Centre for Advanced Learning and Research for the Visually Impaired is another branch of Devnar Foundation for the Blind. Here, the adult blind are taught income generating skills like leaf-plate making, candle making, weaving towels and napkins and making detergents, phenyl, envelopes and different types of office files, besides most sophisticated Computer education. Making disposable paper- cups is also on the aniel to Rehabilitate the adult blind. Candle making advance. They are made of superior quality wax and bring a waft of fragrance and glow The adult uneducated blind of Devnar to your homes. The sale proceedings are used Foundation make beautiful scented candles for the rehabilitation of the blind. of different shapes and sizes at aur Ramananda Centre for Rehabilitation at Sai Junior College Bansilalpet which can adorn any home or The Sai Junior College is a new venture of occasion. These lovely candles and diyas are Devnar Foundation. Inaugurated on 5th for sale and during festival season you can August 2009, it provides free education and place an order for your requirements in computer training with free hostel facilities to the students. This coeducational college offers C.E.C., H.E.C., M.E.C groups through English medium with Telugu and Hindi as second languages. Next year we plan to start M.P.C. group. Specially trained and well experienced faculty members are appointed to teach the various subjects. Special classes are also provided in spoken English by language experts. Study material are provided in Braille and CD form. B.Ed and Post Graduation in Special Education This organization is conducting the following special education courses: 1. B.Ed Special Education in visual impairment. 2. PG Diploma Special Education in visual impairment. 3. Foundation Course – [IGNOU ] B.Ed and PG Diploma Distance Education (English Medium) programmes are being offered by IGNOU in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Council of India [ RCI ] Devnar Hostel The Foundation aims to develop professionals This residential hostel attached to the school, for special education within a broad offers free boarding and lodging to the perception of education. students. Separate dormitories are available C.C.I.C Examination for boys and girls. Two tier steel cots with mattresses and lockers are provided for every CCIC conducted by State Board of Technical child. Resident male and female wardens look Education and Training is one of the new after the needs of the children, assisted by a ventures of Devnar School. This course number of supporting staff. enables the Visually Challenged students to A washing machine with 200 litres capacity get a diploma in computer education. The with drier is installed for the benefit of hostel visually challenged students, who appear for students. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner the exam have been pasing in merit. are served at regular timings. Supervised Dance School for the Visually Challenged is study hours are maintained by the staff and another feather in the cap of Devnar School. volunteers. Music and yoga classes are Visually Challenged Students are trained by conducted after school hours and students famous choreographers and dance masters. are also trained to play chess, cricket and The students not only enjoy dancing but also volley ball by efficient coaches. Safe drinking give scintillating performances to delight the water with Aqua Guard is provided. audience. One student won 2nd Prize in the Wholesome food is hygienically prepared in national classical dance competition held in STEAM COOKING apparatus for the Delhi. students. Eco friendly SOLAR WATER HEATER Resource room provides hot water for bathing and cooking, besides providing energy for street lighting. The foundation has started a Resource Room Playground is equipped with swings, merry- for students with multiple disabilities. Properly go-rounds, rocking horses and moon rocket assessed by the experts, they are taught daily making the playtime enjoyable for the living skills and are helped to adjust to a students. Love birds and pigeons are reared minimum academic programme. by the school, and the students enjoy listening Sports Highlights to the sounds of birds. Cricket : Devnar School team plays cricket at Modification to EVM (Electronic Voting the state, national and international levels. Machine) Two of our students represented India in the World Cup Cricket held in Chennai and Pakistan. In December, 2006, three students from our school were included in the Indian cricket team for the World Cup in Pakistan and they were rewarded. Two of our students Pushpa Raj and Nanaji were selected for Indian Cricket team to play against England in five One-Day Dr. A. Saibaba Goud’s contribution to Indian Internationals(ODIs). Our Indian team won politics is very significant. A successful all the five One-Day Internationals at London modification is made in the Electronic Voting from 19th August to 29th August, 2007. Machine by printing the names of candidates Under 20 South Zone cricket tournament was in Braille and this enables the Visually organized by Devnar Foundation at Challenged to exercise their franchise in Gymkhana Grounds in 2007. dignity, without the assistance of any other Chess Tournaments : Devnar students play person. This was first successfully used in chess excellently and take part in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkand, Bihar, West Competitions held at the state and national Bengal and Kerala, and now in the whole levels regularly. country. For 2009 general elections brisk work was done in Devnar School for printing They participate in chess tournaments stickers to be used in the E. V. M s all over the conducted by the International Abilympics. country. conducted in various categories on the occasion of Children’s day on 14th November. All the winners are given prizes on this day. 4. Louis Braille’s birthday is celebrated on 4th January. Students give a special cultural programme and remember Louis Braille with gratitude. 5. World disabled day is observed in the school as a special day on 3rd Kalishekar represented India in world junior December with many activities. chess championship for the blind held in Spain and Sivashekar was placed sixth in the 6. National Day celebrations like World Chess Championship held in Athens. Independence Day and Republic Day He is the first to come within the first 10 ranks are celebrated with fervour. The school in the World Chess Championship. invites special guests who hoist the national flag and address the students. Regular Celebrations at the School: 7. All festivals like Diwali, Christmas and th 1. 10 July - Founder’s day is celebrated Id are celebrated in the school with in a grand manner much to the great gaiety. The students present enjoyment of students and staff. A Nativity play during Christmas season. medical camp is also arranged in the Annual Day celebration: school. Every year the students present a colourful cultural 2. Teacher’s day is celebrated on 5th programme on the Annual Day. The Chief September which is Dr. S. Guest and other Guests of Honour address Radhakrishnan’s birthday. Every year, the students. Awards are given to the students one visually challenged teacher from who are school toppers every year. some other school is honoured by the Regular Medical check up: General Medical Management. check up along with Dental check up is done 3. In the school, competitions are for the students in the school. Health cards are maintained for every student. In case of

OUROUR COMMITTEECOMMITTEE any emergency, the students are given the necessary treatment by specialists. Picnics and outings: Students are taken to various places of interest during the academic year. Alankritha resorts, Mount Opera, Sanjeevaiah Park are the regular places of visits. Children are also taken for boat rides in Hussain Sagar Lake and some Corporate Companies sponsor trips to other places of interest. They conduct competitions and give prizes to the winners to encourage them. Academic Excellence In the S.S.C. Examinations and VII Class Board Exams, Devnar students get 100% results and have passed in distinction year after year. They have won Prathibha awards in the VII Class, S.S.C. and Intermediate Exams and did the institution proud. The following students won the prestigious Prathibha Award (conferred by AP State Government to meritorious students): 1. Pawan Kumar 2. Srikanth 3. Mahendar 4. Suchetan 5. Anil Reddy 6. Rajshekar Reddy 7. Amir 8. Dikshit 9. Srikanth OUR FRIENDS VOLUNTARY TEACHERS

Our S.S.C. topper received a Gold TATA Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Medal from Mr. K. Rosiah, the then Mumbai, and Mahendar is at present Finance Minister, Govt. of Andhra working as a consultant for C.S.R in G.E. and Sreedhar is employed by RAJU Pradesh. Every year our SSC Students Foundation. have the privilege of receiving medals and certificates from the Governor of 7. Pushparaj, Pratap Reddy, Prasanna Parameswari have done M.A., B.Ed and Andhra Pradesh at Raj Bhavan. Our are in Govt. Service. students Sai Teja and Ch. Raju got Ugadi Puraskar on Ugadi Day. 8. Swathi did Graduation is St. Francis College and is working in State Bank of Devnar Alumni Vignettes India, our student Snehaprabha is employed in State Bank of . 1. N. Naga Babu is the 1st student to get admission in J.N.T University (first 9. Shivasekar has done Double M.A. and visually challenged engineer in the is preparing for civil service. country). He has completed his B.Tech 10. Premchand works as a successful and is employed by the Wipro Company. Salesperson in Herbal and Beauty 2. Pawan Kumar topped the polytechnic Products. course and is in the final year B.Tech in 11. Srikanth has joined MASSACHUSETTS J.N.T. University. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (M.I.T.) 3. Zuber is doing M. Phil in J.N.University, Boston, U.S.A. He is the first Visually Delhi, in International Relations and is Challenged student to get admission to now appointed as an assistant professor this prestigious university with full in Delhi University. scholarship. 4. Dinakar has completed his M.B.A (HR) 12. Rajshekar Reddy has completed his and is now Employed. Intermediate in Chartered Accountancy. 5. Govind Reddy completed his P.G. from 13. Dikshit and Mahesh are doing C.A. and is working in a 14. Pavan and Sushmita got admission to software company. B.Tech, J.N.T.U, Hyderabad. 6. Mahender and Sreedhar did P.G. from 15. Ramana has done double M.A. from How You Can Help Osmania University. Our lives will always be full, if our hearts are 16. Pratap Sinha has done M.A. in Public always giving. Devnar Foundation would like administration to record its grateful appreciation for the timely help and support rendered by our well- 17. David completed his M.A in Psychology wishers, philanthropists and friends. In our and is working for the ‘Mission to the endeavor to serve the visually challenged Blind’. more effectively, we solicit your continued 18. Mahesh has done P.G. from Osmania help. You can extend a helping hand by University. 1. Identifying the blind children and 19. Anil Reddy is doing his Master’s degree sending them to our Institute. in Political Science from Central 2. Help in placement or provide job University, Hyderabad. opportunities for the students. 20. Kali Sekhar did his graduation in M.C.C. 3. Sponsor a child by donating Rs.6,000/- Chennai and is doing his Masters in per one academic year individually or Central University. He also represented collectively; India in Spain in Junior Chess World 4. Donate for construction of a room (name Tournament. of the donor will be displayed on the wall at the entrance of the room); 21. Durga Deepika is doing Post Graduation in Nizam’s College. 5. Spend some time with the children (story telling, helping in games, teaching 22. Vikram is doing B.Ed after completing music, recording cassettes, helping with post graduation. the computers); 23. Vivek is doing his L.L.B. 6. Celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries or festivals with the school 24. Amer is doing M.B.A. from Central children by donating Rs.4000/- for University. vegetarian and Rs.5000/- for non- 25. Nanaji is employed in Reddy Labs after vegetarian meals. completing his graduation. Our Future Plans 26. Kalishekar is employed in Hindu. 1. Starting an Engineering College and College of Physiotherapy for the visually challenged at the National level. 2. Starting a regular B.Ed College in the area of visual impairment. 3. Establishing a National Level Resource Center. 4. Establishing P.G. Diploma Course in Low Vision management and early intervention. 5. Establishing a Research Center to probe into Causes of Childhood Blindness. Guest / Visitors Book Prema Pandurangam, Gokulam, Tamil From the Visitors Book Nadu Chinna Jeer Swamy “Jai Sri Krishna! May the Lord of Brindavan bless this unique and famous institution to “We appreciate the divine services of Sriman grow from strength to strength, leading Dr.Saibaba Goud garu to the blind.” children from darkness to light.” Dr.C.Rangarajan, former Governor of K. Arvind Rao, I.P.S, Addl. D.G. of Police, Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad “The school is doing memorable social “It is heartening to see the impaired children services. Keep it up!” getting an opportunity to express themselves, Douglas Rose, Latter-day Saints Charities, and discover themselves. The organizers New Delhi deserve all commendation.” “A wonderful service you are providing to Koneru Humpy, Chess Champion these precious youth.” “I am thrilled to see such good chess players. Roswitlia Diedrichs, Germany Missoula, MT You have done a great job in moulding them. 598080 I wish your players a good success in future.” “Wonderful work, Dr Saibaba Goud. The Shanta Sinha, Managing Director, M.V. children are very bright, Talented and well Foundation behaved.” “Wonderful work, children are so Euis Karwati, The Sub. Govt. Education of empowered & with dignity. The staff members handicapped Children in West Java, have great commitment and enjoy their work. Indonesia Congratulations to Devnar Foundation of Saibaba Goud & family.” “This school is managed very well.” Michael Ball, Jamestiwn, NC 27282 USA Bruce Tempest, 982 Tecumseh RD, Cape May, New Jersey “We visited on a Saturday. The students were very busy doing tasks on the computer and “A joy to my heart to see the work being done: working on lessons. I am truly impressed with Blind are treated with Love, Care, Equally - the school and what is being done for India’s regardless of where they come from – taking blind. The children were extremely polite to the children to productive level. I commend me, and very enthusiastic showing me their all the good work and will be ever grateful faculties. It is quite apparent they are for the Opportunity to meet these wonderful receiving a quality education here. Thank people.” you.” T.S. Krishna Murthy, Chief Election Commissioner of India, New Delhi “It has been a rewarding visit. I must compliment the institution for its excellent efforts to help the Visually Impaired.” Dr. Alladi P. Rajkumar, Ex. Member of Parliament “It is my privilege to be associated with this institution.”

Devnar Foundation for the Blind Plot No. 185, Road No. 1, West Marredpally, – 500026. Ph: +91 - 40 – 66335696, 27703686, Fax: +91 – 40 - 27713686 Devnar School for the Blind 1-10-122 to 125, Mayuri marg, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016 AP, India Phone: +91-40-27767931, 66175696 Sai Junior College for the Visually Challenged & Ramananda Centre for Advanced Learning & Research for the Visually Impaired 6-6-270, Opp. Home for the Disabled, Bansilalpet, Secunderabad 500003, AP, India Phone: +91-040-27536600

Email : [email protected] www.devnarfoundationfortheblind.org