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The New Delhi blind photography exhibition took place at the British Council on the 1st and 2nd of December to mark the international day for people with disabilities.

In this event, participants with impaired vision were given a chance to showcase their photo taking abilities. The exhibition displayed about 30 photographs of blind persons portraying diverse activities done by them, including their day-to-day work.

The organizer of the event was Sightsavers, an acknowledged, charitable organization that aims at preventing unnecessary blindness, in addition to advocating for the social participation and equal treatment of disabled people.

The photographs displayed in the exhibition were part of a campaign named ‘The Blind View’, a photography workshop that was started by Sightsavers and Beyond Sight Foundation for the fanatics of blind photography. The exhibition benefitted from the support of Her Highness Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi, who comes from the royal family of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimahin the United Arab Emirates.

People with normal visual ability ignorantlyregard photography to be simply an extension of sight: a way of capturing and preserving memories and events. They are oblivious of the fact that the blind are gifted with the ability to use other senses to build a deeper awareness of their surroundings. The Blind View project sought to bring these unique abilities of the blind to reality in order to confront the widespread notions on disability.

How can blind people take photographs? Visually impaired persons achieve this by using the senses of touch, smell and textures. These senses are behind the successful photo shoot of Katrina Kaif, a Bollywood actor, done by the visually impaired photographer, Bhuvesh Patel, for use in the Lux Perfume Portraits campaign advert.

The Blind View has displayed 16 photographs taken by some of the participants on their website where visitors can vote for the best photo. These photographs include images of popular tourist attractions in Delhi such as India Gate, the Qutab Minar and the iron pillar, a male dancer and several pictures of the blind doing activities like working on a laptop and taking photos of an old camera.

Sightsavers, in collaboration with the Beyond Sight Foundation, a photography enterprise for blind people, organized two photography workshops for people living with visual impairment. The workshops took place in Mumbai and Bangalore and culminated in an event in Delhi. Photographs taken by participants were publicly exhibited in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and in online virtual galleries.

Some of the notable personalities who attended the events were Partho Bhowmick, the founder of Beyond Sight Foundation; RN Mohanty, the CEO of Sightsavers (India); and Gill Caldicott, Director Operations, British Council India.

The director of Sightsavers, Mr. Mohanty, stated that the aim of the project was to display the day to day activities of the visually impaired, how assistive technology helps them do their work, etc.

Mr. Bhowmick commented on the workshops that had taken place earlier in the year, stating that the participants received training on how to take perfect photos under the supervision of skilled experts. He added that the events had seen the participation of the popular blind photographer, Bhuvesh Patel, who recently did a photo shoot of Katrina Kaif, a Bollywood actress.

According to Caldicott, the British Council was pleased to work with Sightsavers in providing a platform where the incredibly gifted blind photographers could display their work. He added that the exhibition was not only a display of the blind photographers’ talent but also a way of helping the general public to appreciate the abilities of the visually impaired.

Besides the exhibition, Sightsavers also arranged a musical performance that featured talented blind singers. The Hosla Charitable Trust collaborated with Sightsavers in conducting the performance. The event’s conclusion featured fun-filled and entertaining activities that let the visitors reflect on their perceptions towards visually impaired persons and gave them a chance to evaluate a blind person’s life.

Since 1966, Sightsavers has successfully inspired 53.4 million people in India, treating the eyes of 36.2 million people, and performing 4.9 million eye operations.

Sightsavers is a NGO that deals with preventing avoidable blindness. The organization campaigns for equal rights for the disabled. The Bangalore showcase came after the successful first workshop that took place in Mumbai. The Blind View is being carried out in alliance with Beyond Sight Foundation. The association is under the support of Her Highness Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi. The Senior Manager, Mr. Amal Gupta, Sightsavers (India), remarked that their primary motto was to raise awareness, encourage social inclusion of the disabled as well as show the capabilities of those who are visually impaired. He added that they aim at making a difference through the campaign and also spread happiness,and confidence among those with visual disabilities.

Consequently, Mr. Partho Bhowmick, Founder, Beyond Sight Foundation (BSF), commented that the organization proudly conducted the showcase initially in Mumbai then in Bangalore for the talented photographers in conjunction with Sightsavers. The workshop photographers are being trained to snap photos which will be displayed at a popular mall in Bangalore and later at a gala exhibition scheduled to take place in Delhi. The inventive primary objective of the exhibition was to promote self-confidence and encourage the interests for the visually impaired. Those trained to click perfect pictures were five of the participants with the supervision of proficient experts. The famous visually impaired photographer, Bhavesh Patel, who did a photo shoot of Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif was present at the workshop.

Sightsavers is an association that aims at preventing unnecessary blindness, restore sight, and campaign for the social inclusion and equal treatment of persons with disabilities. Recently, the organization coordinated a photography workshop for the admirers of photography done by blind persons at the Press Club in Mumbai.

The workshop, which was named ‘The Blind View’ was the pioneer in the series of Sightsavers’ advocacy events held across the country. The workshop was organized in collaboration with Beyond Sight Foundation. Her Highness Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi also sponsored the event.

Mr. Partho Bhowmick, the founder of Beyond Sight Foundation (BSF), stated that his foundation was delighted to have conducted such a special workshop for the upcoming photographers in collaboration with Sightsavers. The workshop’s participants were given training on how to click photos depicting their everyday life. The finest of those photographs will be presented in an exhibition that is to be held later in the year. The core purpose of this creative initiative was to create a better perception of blindness and to inspire the participants to have confidence in themselves and pursue their goals.

The workshop’s participants were trained on taking great pictures by accomplished experts. In attendance was the popular blind photographer, Bhavesh Patel. Recently, Bhavesh did a photo shoot for a Lux advertisement with Katrina Kaif, a Bollywood actress.

The Senior Manager, Brand & Communications- Sightsavers, Mr. Amal Guptaacknowledged that the company’s motto in organizing the workshop was to highlight the talents of disabled persons. In addition, the company sought to create an empowering environment in which the visually impaired can work to attain economic independence instead of being dependants.

The CEO of Sightsavers (India) – Mr. RN Mohanty, was contented with the evident passion the participants had for the photography workshop. He expressed his goodwill for the participants by wishing them“the best in their future endeavors.”

The use of cell-phones, laptops, TVs and other electronic gadgetry are an essential part of our lives. Nowadays, people tend to spend most of their time with these visual devices. In a civilization that is as vision-centric as ours, it is usually difficult for sighted persons to comprehend a blind life. However, there is more to being blind than what we see, and our collective subconscious needs a precision surgery to alter our perspective on blindness. The Blind View is a Sightsavers’ initiative that is meant to be the precision surgery that changes our perspective on blindness. Persons that are visually impaired make use of other senses to create visions. What if sighted persons could visualize what blind persons see?

Photography serves as an extension of sight. Sighted people see photography simply as a way to capture moments and scenes. What if they realized that sight supersedesthe simple act of seeing? What if they appreciated moments, textures, and odors through photographs? What if they learnt that there is a dissimilar kind of photography that they are entirely unacquainted with- a unique form of photography that is upheld by the blind?

The Blind View aims to fascinate and astonish people with highly influential events and connections to increase understanding on the abilities of blind persons. The Blind may have deteriorating eyesight, but that is often compensated by a better understanding of their environments using other senses. The Blind View project highlights these realities and confronts the prevalent perceptions on disability.

Sightsavers, in collaboration with Beyond Sight Foundation a photography series for those living with vision impairment, will carry out two photography workshops for blind persons in Mumbai (June) and Bangalore (September). The photos taken in these workshops will be displayed soon afterwards in public exhibitions in the two cities and also in online virtual galleries- all concluding in a gala event in Delhi. Supported by strong online and offline promotional activities, voting for the best photos by the public, and numerous sensitization exercises, the movement will increase awareness about Sightsavers and the significance of the social inclusion of blind people.

Mumbai, 1st August 2015: Sightsavers is an organization that works to reduce the incidence of preventable loss of sight,promote sight restoration as well assupport the social inclusion and equal rights for the disabled.The organization recently held an exhibition of pictures taken by blind photographers. The exhibition took place at the Orbit Mall (Malad), Mumbai. The collaboration of the Sightsavers alongside Beyond Sight Foundation contributed to the successful display of photography done by visually impaired photographers in a workshop supported by Her Highness SheikhaArwa Al Qassimi.
Mr. RN Mohanty CEO, Sightsavers India stated that the initiative aimed at changing the perception that the visually impaired are a liability to their families and that the society is oblivious of the challenges faced by the blind. He added that Sightsavers intended to disapprove that perception and show that the visually impaired are capable of being independent and pursuing their interests.
Mr. ParthoBhowmick, Founder, Beyond Sight Foundation (BSF) remarked that the exhibition could create a linkbetween the abled and physically challenged persons. He added that it would help people to better perceive the world from the visually disadvantaged persons’ point of view.
The photography workshop was held on June, this year. Participants received training on ideal picture clicking under the instruction of proficient experts. The famous visually impaired photographer Bhavesh Patel, who recently did a photo shoot with Katrina Kaif, a Bollywood actress,was among the experts who took part in the workshop. The photographer is well known for hisphotoshoot with Bollywood Actress Katrina Kaif.Bhavesh clarified that the visually impaired felt the need to be treated like ordinary persons in the society. Additionally, he emphasized that the disadvantaged are part of the society. Thus, they should not be sympathized with.
Upon its successfulcompletion, the workshop in Mumbai saw 20 portraitson seven different themes being shortlisted in which blind participants were clicked by their counterparts while carrying out a sequence of interesting activities. Every picture illustrates a unique story representing diverse aspects of being blind.
According to,Amal Gupta, Senior Manager,Brand and communications-Sightsavers, the exhibition served to portray the lives and abilities of blind persons; their day to day activities such as going to work, etc.
Sightsavers is a registered organization that aims at preventing the loss of sight,promote sight restoration as well assupportthe social inclusion and equivalent rights for the disabled. The organization has been operating in India since 1966, where it has reached 53.4 million people. It has carried out 36.2 million eye treatments and 4.9 million eye treatments.