Volunteers' Day

Performance by Sahitya Jagar

Storytelling by Alka Shrawne

Performance by a volunteer

To commemorate 200 years of the Braille script, invented by Sir Louis Braille, Snehankit Helpline hosted a two-day State Level Braille Reading Competition for visually impaired individuals on January 25th and 26th, 2025, in Vile Parle East, Mumbai. The event saw participation from 49 individuals across Maharashtra.The competition featured three languages—English, Marathi, and Hindi—and was divided into four age groups: Std. 1st to 5th, Std. 6th to 10th, Std. 11th to graduation, and an Open group. A panel of visually impaired judges, including Mr. Harshad Jadhav, Mr. Prakash Pandagale, Mr. Mohammad Razaq, Smt. Mangal Nimbalkar, Smt. Priti Shende, Smt. Padma Rapoz, and Dr. Kalpana Kharade, oversaw the competition.Winners from each language and age group received cash prizes, while all participants were awarded participation certificates, graciously presented by Mr. Chintamani Hasabnis, Founder of Drushti Sparsh Art Foundation, as a gesture to encourage their interest in Braille reading. Additionally, Snehankit Helpline distributed specially-designed mugs to judges, participants, and volunteers. These mugs served as mementos to recognize their contribution, especially in preparing competition passages in the three languages.During the closing ceremony on January 26th, prizes, certificates, and mementos were handed out. The judges emphasized the significance of Braille literacy, and several participants shared their enriching experiences from the competition.