My name is Tapas Kumar Das, and I was born on January 27, 1984, in Rasikpur Daspara, Dumka. From the moment I entered this world, I was met with a challenge—I was born visually impaired. Being the only son in a family with five sisters, my father, Sadhan Das, who works as a mechanic, and my mother, Pabita Devi, a skilled housewife, did everything they could to provide for us. But my visual impairment brought with it a unique set of difficulties that my family and I had to confront head-on.

When my parents first realized I was visually impaired, they took me to several doctors, hoping for a miracle that would restore my sight. Unfortunately, the treatments didn’t work, and my family had to come to terms with the fact that this was a challenge I would have to live with. Despite the odds, my father was determined to give me the best possible start in life. He enrolled me in a school for the visually impaired in Bhagalpur, Bihar, where I completed my education up to the 10th class.

After finishing school, I pursued a DCBR from SP College Dumka and a special course for the visually impaired from CP2 in Bangalore. While these qualifications gave me hope for the future, finding a job proved to be a daunting task. As the years passed, I began to worry more about what the future held for me, especially after I got married to a visually impaired woman and we were blessed with a son and a daughter. Parenthood brought me immense joy, but it also added new responsibilities and pressures that weighed heavily on my mind.

Then, in what I can only describe as a stroke of good fortune, I discovered Chetna Vikas Deoghar and the Tanya Computer Centre in Dumka. Through their support, I enrolled in a 6-month computer course at the Tanya Computer Centre, run by Chetna Vikas. This course not only equipped me with essential computer skills but also connected me with a network of people who were genuinely invested in my success.

The team at Chetna Vikas worked tirelessly to help me, and their efforts paid off. I was offered a position as a 'Ghanti Teacher' at the Blind School Sri Amra. On January 2, 2024, I began this new chapter in my life. This job represents more than just employment; it is a symbol of the hope and opportunities that have come my way after years of uncertainty. My parents, my wife, and I are all overjoyed by this transformative change in our lives.

I cannot express enough gratitude to Chetna Vikas and Sightsavers for their unwavering support. They have not only helped me secure a job but have also given me the confidence to look forward to a brighter future. My journey has taught me that no matter how dark the path may seem, with the right support and determination, you can always find your way to the light.