Jyothirgamaya Foundation

Jyothirgamaya Foundation is a nonprofit organization, based in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala which is actively involved in the empowerment of persons with visual impairment founded in 2015 by Tiffany Brar. The project started as a mobile blind school in 2012. Tiffany Brar (visually impaired) herself, traveled through rural areas in public transport in search of blind people of all ages in rural areas in India, with the aim of bringing out of the four walls of their house, to which they are confined, and brings a new light to their eyes, which has nothing to do with their eye-sight.Jyothirgamaya Foundation holds Special consultative status with United Nations.

Jyothirgamaya Foundation
Founded2015
FounderMs. Tiffany Brar
TypeNon-Governmental Organisation
FocusVisual impairment, Disability
Location
Award(s)Kerala State Award from Chief Minister
Websitewww.jyothirgamayaindia.org

Jyothirgamaya, the word

Jyothirgamaya(ज्योतिर्गमय) is a Sanskrit word which means leading to the light. The philosophy behind this concept of leading to a light, is to bring the blind who are confined within their homes, out and give them a healthy exposure to the outside world, and enlighten them in various fields, so that they may not be in a world of darkness, but become well informed productive citizens

History

Jyothirgamaya Foundation was first started as a mobile blind school, with the philosophy, that "if blind cannot go to school, let the school go to them" Tiffany Brar, traveled to rural areas with her white-cane in search of blind people. She was shocked to see the blind living in worse conditions, some of them not even able to use their limbs properly, simply on account of being blind, she provided guidance and counseling to parents who were full of despair, not knowing what to do. Tiffany went from house to house in public transport with her white cane seeking the blind and trying to rehabilitate them, integrate them, and bring them to the forefront of society.

Founder

Tiffany Brar, who became blind due to carelessness of doctor during her childhood, due to constant battles of discrimination and stigmatization on account of her disability, decided to attempt in making a small difference in the lives of her blind colleagues, and so with the knowledge she possessed she started the Jyothirgamaya Foundation to bring her community to the forefront.

The Approach
Tiffany Brar receiving National Award from the Honourable President of India, Dr.Ram Nath Kovind

Over the years, Jyothirgamaya has adopted a need-based approach, where participants aged 10 to forty, are trained in accordance with their needs, skills, and capability

Advocacy

Jyothirgamaya advocates for rights for persons with disabilities, and creating an accessible environment for them and raising awareness among the general public towards disabilities.

Awards and recognition
Tiffany Brar with former President of India Dr.APJ. Abdul Kalam in 2012
  • Make a Difference Award from Rotary International
  • Vocational Excellence Award from Rotary International
  • Received Kerala State Award for Best Institution for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities fro the Chief Minister of Kerala Mr.Pinarayi Vijayan In 2019
  • The Spindle Award,2019
  • Special consultative status from United Nations,2020

See also

References
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