“If not me, then who?” It has become an ever-present question that fuels the determination of Dattu Agarwal, now 66 years old. Living with blindness, Dattu constantly reflected on the lives of people like him.
“Having been fortunate enough to receive a quality education and supportive family support, I could not ignore the fact that many others were not as privileged as I was,” she reflects in conversation. Uttam India.
This reality, he adds, prompted him to extend a helping hand to those in need.
Currently, she is a parent and teacher of 75 blind girls. Within the premises of her boarding school in Kalaburgi, Karnataka, these girls are not only given academic instruction – they are also given clothing, shelter and a chance to live.
“Girls are still seen as a burden in many parts of India. I can’t even imagine what life is like for girls with disabilities,” says Dattu, wanting to give them a way to build an independent life.
‘Fate Brought Me Here’
Born and brought up in Kalburgi, Dattu contracted pneumonia at the age of three, which left him visually impaired. “I didn’t remember the world before I lost my sight. My parents were worried, but also very determined to make me independent and self-sufficient. They sent me to a blind boys’ school in Kalaburgi at the age of 8,” he recalls.
After completing his schooling, Dattu studied Political Science at Gulbarga University. “In 1985, I started teaching in the same university. I taught political science for over 35 years,’ he says.
While Dattu was progressing in his life, he never realized that his poor eyesight was like a handicap for him. For others, he notes, this was not the case. “‘What does he do now?’ Comments like ‘He is disabled and will be a burden’ were very common. I want to create an environment where such prejudice does not exist,” he says.
“It was very difficult for me to find my feet. There were enough opportunities to help me grow and succeed in life,” she remarked. “(But) I saw people in my community suffering, especially little girls. In the 2000s, my district had schools for boys but none for girls. ,” he adds.
He started saving and brainstorming ideas to help the blind.
“In 1990, I founded a trust named Hyderabad Karnataka Apang Samaj. Under it I also established a residential school for blind girls. The girls belong to the underprivileged section of the society.”
A chance at life and success
Dattu named the school Matoshree Ambubai Residential School for Blind Girls after her mother. “My mother was my backbone and my biggest supporter. Whenever there was noise from society, she would save me and remind me that I can do anything,” she recalls.
“My mother is also my biggest inspiration and motivation. She taught me everything I know about life and society. She was a remarkably diligent and warm woman,” he added.
When Dattu started school, she had only four girls. “I went to villages in Kalburgi district to talk to parents and tell them about the school. Parents did not want to send their daughters to blind schools fearing for their safety,” he says.
“Since they belong to the minority, they do not understand the need to educate their blind girls and make them self-reliant,” he notes.
‘We need more schools like ours’
The girls studying in Dattu’s school are from 6 districts namely Kalaburgi, Vidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Bellary.
“Initially we intervened and went from village to village to find blind girls who needed help, but within a few months the scenario changed. People heard about us and contacted us directly,” he explained.
“Apart from following the regular curriculum, we also train them in sports and music. It gives them more options and passions to pursue when they get out of school,” he adds.
Among them is Idhama, who wants to become a lawyer. “My parents came to know about Dattu Sir’s school when we were at an eye camp in Hyderabad. I went to school and enrolled in class 7. At first I missed my home, but everyone here helped me settle in. I want to study harder and become independent so that I can help my parents financially,” she says.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Muskaan, who is studying in class 5, says, ‘I left my village Madanpura four years ago to get better education here. Earlier, I did not go to any school because my parents could not pay the fees. The teachers and staff of the school are very polite and make us feel comfortable. ”
School principal Sangeeta D Thakur reflected on the importance of such schools. “There are very few opportunities for girls in Karnataka. Schools like ours, which provide free education and accommodation to children, are the need of the hour. If these children do not get education, they will end up in a pitiable state. When I see them, I see only talent and creativity. We have There are seven batches of girls who have completed their education here and entered good colleges,” she says.
Reflecting on his journey, Dattu says, “I believe that the events of my childhood and everything that has happened in my life is destiny. If I hadn’t lost my sight then, my life would have been very different.”
How can you help?
There are 75 female students in Dattu’s school, but for the past one year, he has stopped taking new admissions.
“We are overwhelmed with new enrollment requests. I want to take every girl I can, but we have no room left in the hostel,” he says.
A new building is under construction and the school needs funds. “For so long, the school has been running on my income and donations from various sources. But, now that I have also retired, we are looking for additional sources of money,’ he says.
If you want to help Dattu in his cause or fund girls’ education, you can contact him at 95353 93900.
Edited by Divya Sethu