CMS Business School, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) and UDIS Forum, Coimbatore in partnership with CBM organized a program on “Marga Schulze Scholarship Distribution for Girls with Visual Impairment in Karnataka State” on 17 December 2018.

Thirty one, visually impaired girls of Karnataka hailing from Bengaluru, Tumkur, Mysore, Chikmagalur, Belgaum, Haveri, Bellary, Dharwad, Gadag and Hullahalli were identified by heads of Government Colleges in Karnataka and were awarded with Rs.12,000/- each.  The criteria for selection were based on the marks scored in the examinations appeared for the course of study. Students scoring an average of 75% marks and more were selected.

Amongst the recipients of scholarship 3 students from Government P.U. College Ms. Karishma R, Ms. Sharanamma S and Ms. Renuka S, were selected based on a computer software application test to win the latest model of laptop computers to aid in their studies.

The program was welcomed by Dr.T.R.Ramakrishnan, Associate Professor, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) who said, “We see light from our eyes but I feel that real light in life is seen from our heart.” He also stated that Jain will always support to educate the socially challenged young students.

Dr.Ismath Afshan, Professor, Department of Sericulture and Life Science and Director, Braille Research Centre, mentioned that the number of books available for visually impaired students to access free are increasing.

Ms.Rajani Gopalakrishna, Senior Manager, Finance, Legal and Administration, CBM India Trust stated, “Visually impaired girls must prove to be more independent and use computer software to be at par with the normal students. Many visually impaired students across India have proven to be successful in society by gaining employment in the corporate sector and leading a career.”

Ms. Ramyashree H Ramaprsad, HR manager, Tata Consultancy Services who heads CSR programs mentioned that there is good demand for visual impaired girls in the Information Technology sector but all must learn to converse in English and operate computer software. She urged the young girls to become graduates and opt for any job offered by the corporate. She promised students to be trained under TCS-Maitree ACTC (Advanced Computer Training Centre) 40 days duration course with state-of-the-art lab for the visually impaired after their graduation.

Prof. R.Srinivasam, Rtd. Professor, ARVIC, Founder and Trustee, UDIS Forum said, girls must undertake skill based programs to be independent in their earnings. The UDIS has over 300 blind students who have applied for scholarships in 2018.He advised more students to apply for the Marga Schulze scholarship every year and compete.

Dr.Hans Eugen Schulze (visually impaired), a retired judge of the Federal courts of Germany has been distributing the scholarship in Africa and Asia for girls. All India Confederation of the Blind in Delhi for the northern states and the UDIS Forum in Coimbatore for the southern states are the 2 CBM partners who are implementing the scheme. The scheme provides a merit scholarship of Rs.12,000/- for undergraduates and B.Ed. courses, and Rs.18,000/- for Post-Graduation course. From 2007, about 1,200 girls with visual impairment are benefited in southern states and Maharashtra.