: After Losing Vision, Woman Starts Online Radio To Help 10K Diff-Abled Find Jobs, Love #IndiaNEWS #India Manish Agarwal has been suffering from eyesight issues due to a retina deformity since he was

After Losing Vision, Woman Starts Online Radio To Help 10K Diff-Abled Find Jobs, Love #IndiaNEWS #India
Manish Agarwal has been suffering from eyesight issues due to a retina deformity since he was a child. During his growing years, his dependence on glasses increased, and as he reached Class X, the ailment had become serious to a point where had to quit his education.
Instead, he began spending time at a cloth shop run by his father. In 2013, he lost his vision entirely. Alongside, he lost his will to live, he says. “I became severely depressed, as I had no social life, my friends had distanced themselves from me, and no person around me could sympathise or understand the pain I was in,??? he says.
However, in 2017, he came across a Facebook page, Radio Udaan, an online radio platform. Here, he found many people like him who were suffering from various disabilities. They had created a support system for one another to help each other lead a meaningful life. He joined in on their conversations on social media and through video calling apps.
Now, at the age of 34, Manish is pursuing his graduation in arts and preparing for government jobs. “My life turned around after I connected with the radio team. The members inspired and motivated me. They helped me learn computer skills and provided me exposure to opportunities available for visually impaired persons. Thanks to the radio, I have friends across the world now,??? he tells The Better India.
Like Manish, at least 10,000 people have married, sought jobs, learned computer skills, become singers, artists and earned a variety of skills through Radio Udaan.
Sharing one another’s pain
Meenal and members felicitated at an event.
Hyderabad-based Meenal Singhvi, director at the radio, says the idea to start the platform stemmed from the need to help the specially-abled community at large.
Meenal herself lost her eyesight at the age of 28. She realised there would be many like her who needed support and encouragement.
“In 2007, I lost my vision during treatment for low blood pressure. I fell into a coma and recovered a few days later, only to realise that I had lost my vision. I was a homemaker, and everyone in my family accepted that my life would be confined to the four walls of the house,??? she recalls.
Now 43, Meenal says that during the next couple of years, her family ensured they provided everything she needed and asked for. “I never left my room, and spent my time only listening to the television, or being alone. Doctors were hopeful that my vision could be restored. It did happen for a brief period on three occasions. I was hopeful too. However, in 2009, doctors counselled me and said my eyesight might never return,??? she says.
She adds while this news caused her immense pain, she decided she could not spend the rest of her life in bed.

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