Deepika Rathod’s story is one of both resilience and a deep-seated desire to be successful at whatever she does. Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Deepika lost her eyesight suddenly when she was 14 years old. Doctors said the cause was a crack in the retina. Despite years of treatment, her eyesight has not been restored.
“Now, I have stopped seeking treatment. I have accepted my blindness. I am 100 percent visually impaired. My family and I were shocked and depressed when I lost my vision in 2000. I kept wondering: ‘Why me?’. But I was firm in my resolve to study and get a good job,” says the gutsy woman, now 34.
Deepika works at the DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) office in Asarwa, Ahmedabad, as a senior clerk. She is currently in charge of the despatch section. But the going was not always this smooth.
Class topper
Before she lost her vision, Deepika used to study at Mahavir Vidya Mandir and was the class topper. “I was very good at studies. I wanted to become a doctor. But I could not take science because of my visual impairment. My aunt, who is a teacher in the Adult Training Centre for Blind (school for the blind) on the premises of Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad (BPA), suggested I should join the school,” she tells Vibes of India.
BPA is one of the largest NGOs in India in the disability sector. The policy at that time was that students had to stay in a hostel. “My parents were against me staying away from home. But I insisted. I understood their emotions but I wanted to study and become independent. Now, my parents are happy with the decision as I was trained to gain mobility, learnt some cooking, and became independent by living in a hostel,” says Deepika with a smile.
A new family, a new life
“A new life started for me when I got associated with BPA. My confidence developed. I found a second loving family. I owe my success entirely to BPA and the support of my family. I am inspired by Punani Sir (Dr Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of BPA) and Nandini Madam (Nandini Rawal, Executive Director of BPA). I visit BPA often. I am as attached to folks at BPA as I am to my family,” she says.
Deepika studied from class 5 to class 12 in the school. She became proficient in reading and writing in braille and learnt to use different types of technology that would help her study and work. As she could not become a doctor she decided to join a paramedical course. She did a two-year physiotherapy course recognised by the state government at BPA. She would commute by BRTS at that time.
‘I like helping people’
She got deeply interested in physiotherapy. A month after she got her result, she joined BPA as a physiotherapist and continued to work for nine years, till 2021. She was made in-charge of the paediatric department. “The children became very attached to me and I to them. Some of the children had multiple disabilities. I liked helping them and freeing them from pain. I also did private practice, including home visits.”
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Struck by complete loss of vision in her teens, Deepika did not lose hope. She worked as a physiotherapist for nine years and joined the Railways in 2023. Her indomitable spirit enabled her to bring changes in the system and make it more inclusive
Deepika got opportunities to work abroad but her family did not consent. But she was very happy working at BPA. Meanwhile, she learnt that visually impaired persons could get a government job. She wanted to join the government sector. But she needed a degree. So, she studied BA economics as an external student from Gujarat University. “I would use audio tapes. My brother and sisters would help me in my studies. BPA too provided a reader.”
After she finished her BA degree in 2016, she joined coaching classes in the evenings to get a bank job. In 2021, she joined Bank of India. Her performance was good at the bank and she got good support from everyone.
Change of tracks
With the desire to become a gazetted officer and join a Central government organisation, Deepika applied to the Railways. “There were five vacancies for the visually impaired in Western Railways, Ahmedabad division. She was selected.
However, a new struggle began. While technology and accessibility had improved a great deal for the visually impaired, attitudes had not changed much. “I was told that there were many people available to do the work. I should just sit idle. The prevalent belief was that visually impaired people could not do anything. They did not give me any work. I was very demoralised. I had half a mind to quit and return to working in the bank,” Deepika tells Vibes of India.
But she decided to fight the system instead. She spoke to the DRM, Sudhir Kumar Sharma, and requested that she be given the technology necessary for her to work. BPA sent teams to her office to assist in this matter. Sharma ensured that she was given what she needed to work efficiently.
Deepika was provided Jaws (Job Access With Speech), a computer screen reader programme that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a refreshable braille display.
Making waves
Today, her work is much appreciated and she is set for a promotion. Amit Gupta, chairman of the Railway Recruitment Board, Ahmedabad, was impressed by her work.
She helped him design an application form that is accessible. A form that the blind can read, understand and fill in, without taking help form anybody. It is the first time in the history of the Indian Railways that this has happened.
“Also, Manual 1 and 2, which contain details of workflow and rules were made accessible. An audiobook was also made. Now my seniors say I am very smart and ask others to learn from me. Earlier, there was no sensitivity towards the visually impaired. Now it is better. I am trying my best. It is happening slowly,” says Deepika, who has acted as a change agent.
Cherished moments
“I get joy when my work turns out well. I want to do something that I, my family, and my NGO (BPA) can be proud of,” she says.
Other visually impaired people are inspired by Deepika for her ability to work using assisted devices, her memory and efficiency. She is always ready to help others in their work.
Deepika lives in Dani Limda area in Ahmedabad with her father, brother and sister-in-law. Her father was in the customs department. But when she lost her sight, he had to attend to providing her medical attention. So, he quit the government job and is now working for a cement company. Her mother had a tailoring business. She passed away due to Covid in 2021. Deepika has three sisters who are married.
“When I am home, I keep busy. Apart from helping with household chores, I listen to music, talk to friends on the phone or catch something new on the laptop. We watch movies as a family. I watch KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati). I enjoy cooking. We also socialise quite a bit,” she says.
“I am also interested in chess. I plan to study further. I had started an MA programme. I want to study and get a master’s degree and then a PhD. For now, I am happy in the Railways,” says a contented Deepika.
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