I am about to uncover the inspiring journey of Laljibhai, a resilient, visually impaired visionary who transformed his personal challenges into a mission of hope. His life’s work, the Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal trust, has become a beacon of support for over 500 senior citizens, especially those abandoned or facing disabilities in Gujarat’s Kachchh region.
Laljibhai’s story began at just 17 when glaucoma suddenly robbed him of his sight. One day, he could see; the next, he was plunged into darkness. The dreams he once held so closely seemed to fade away, leaving him confined within the four walls of his home, wondering if he would ever find a purpose again. But rather than succumb to despair, he chose a path of resilience. Determined to not let blindness define his destiny, he sought out education, traveling across Gujarat to master Braille and earn his degree. He was inspired to bring the support he received to others in similar situations.
When he returned to Kachchh in 1975, he had a vision that went beyond his own life, a safe space for those like him, who had been marginalized and left to fend for themselves. This idea became a reality in 1997 with the formal registration of Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal, a haven where elderly, visually impaired individuals could find dignity, care, and respect.
Today, the trust is a lifeline, offering everything from nutritious meals and clean clothing to compassionate care and rehabilitation programs. For people like Chandrakant Navinbhai Gajjar, who lost his sight after years of working in the weaving industry and was shunned by his family, the trust has provided a renewed sense of self-worth and community.
In addition to the old age home, Laljibhai expanded the trust’s impact by establishing inclusive schools, providing children with disabilities access to education, therapy, and vocational training. For him, it’s about empowering people of all ages to live with independence and pride.
The three inclusive schools established by Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal, a primary boys’ school, a primary and secondary girls’ school, and a co-ed secondary and higher secondary school which offer a wide range of resources tailored to students with disabilities providing study materials in Braille, audio content, and various facilities like libraries, computer labs with screen readers, smart classrooms, and classes for sports, yoga, dance, and music.
Today, Lalji also has the girls’ primary and secondary school which has enrolled 110 students, while the secondary and higher secondary school has 250. Alongside academics, the Mind Power Development Centre nurtures students through yoga, meditation, music, and dance therapy.
The trust’s rehabilitation and physiotherapy units assist children with cerebral palsy, helping them develop coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, and independence. In recognition of its work, the trust received the National Award for the “Creation of a Barrier-free Environment for Persons with Disabilities” from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2006.
The trust also maintains an audio recording unit that offers CDs on literature, poetry, fiction, and more. Additionally, its Braille Press, one of its proudest achievements, features an Interpoint-55 machine capable of printing 2,000 pages per hour, allowing visually impaired students to access free Braille materials.
Another invaluable resource is the multimedia library, housing over 6,600 regular books, 1,159 Braille books, 1,003 Braille e-books, and 3,022 audiobooks. Laljibhai believes that while academic education is crucial, vocational training is also vital for true empowerment. The trust’s vocational training center provides lessons in computer skills, tailoring, and more. This unit not only sews uniforms for the trust’s students but also fulfills orders from other schools and industries.
Laljibhai’s journey has been long and challenging. Yet, as he looks to the future, his dedication to turning pain into purpose continues to inspire all who witness his transformative work.
Discussion about this post