Comments on: My Blind Date

By: Goma Rai

Goma Rai — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:01:07 +0000

Honestly speaking, reading this at first brought me tears as the memory flashed before me of the painful times. But then I realise that my hardwork paid is off with interest. As I was child, getting quality education for a blind person was a challenge. God did sent me to a good school. Once I completed my education, securing a job was another challenge, Ultimately I made to my dream organization. After I got married, I was blessed with the baby boy. Then raising an infant was altogether a different challenge Mother task without manual or mentor was absolutely direction less. but it feels like within a blink of an eye he is five and appears to be my guiding star. Next suddenly without any warning or alarm, we landed to the world of Covid era. Life seemed to be impossible without domestic help and rolling chapati became a task which I never ever thought about. A couple of days back, a thought crossed my mind and I no longer feel I am blind. Probably I may have created my own happy space with the God’s grace.

By: Goma Rai

Goma Rai — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:53:51 +0000

Dear sir, reading this piece just brought fresh memories about my interviews at ONGC as I had followed those three mantras. As I have moved on in life and time restored my confidence, I do believe that people like Patwardhan sir is very few. Had there been little more the people with disability could live life of less challenge and do not have to prove their ability at every singal step. Anyway I am an independent Goma today and feels blessed to be the lucky one amongst the millionsdue to the presence of good people like my batch mate, Anubhuti and mentor Patwardhan sir who are willing to go that little extra mile to make this world a better place.

By: Saniya Malim

Saniya Malim — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:55:54 +0000

Such a inspiring incident and so well written. Admire the way you brought the best out of Goma and cemented her self belief.
Leaves us with lot of reflections on our biases and ways of judging people without empathy.

By: T S Ramanathan

T S Ramanathan — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 05:42:45 +0000

Sir,

Your story reminds me of a similar incident which happened in our organisation during recruitment of candidates for the posts of supervisors. There was a guy who was physically challenged (polio affected legs) but was very good in written tests. He also came out with flying colours in the interview and demonstrated that he could work independently without any help. I was there in the interview board and was keen on engaging him but the other two senior members in the board were against engaging him with the excuse that he will not be able to carry out heavy work and will prove to be a burden in the long run. I tried my best to fight and prove my point but ultimately even the top HR person was reluctant to engage him. The guy pleaded with tears in his eyes and ultimately left unsuccessful. I was helpless and the memory used to haunt me for many years. After a gap of nearly six years, when I was conducting a class on communication for a group of engineers from WBSEDCL, one of the participants greeted me suddenly and introduced himself. To my utter surprise I found that the participant was the same person who got rejected by our company for physical disability. After getting rejected he had applied for a job at WBSEDCL where he got selected without any hurdles and also got promoted within a short period because of his ability. That incident only proves that people are not limited by their disability and the disability is only in the minds of the recruiters and so called HR professionals without any human touch. Also one more point was proved – ‘When one door closes in front of you, several doors open with fresh opportunities – Do not despair and try hard, you will ultimately succeed’.

By: Sonali Srivastava

Sonali Srivastava — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:33:44 +0000

Beautifully written, Mr Patwardhan. I have been tongue tied on so many occasions! That you reached to your own internal emotions and responded to Goma’s needs is a nice way of getting oneself when one doesn’t know what to say.

By: Marcel Parker

Marcel Parker — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:31:16 +0000

Loved the story Vivek
I am sure Goma must be doing well wherever she is now-is there some scope for her to share this story with other challenged people-it is very inspiring

By: Nobhojit Roy

Nobhojit Roy — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:11:58 +0000

Guide syndrome 🙂
Thank you for your honesty, Vivek-dada and the remarkable story. It is our discomfort that we need to overcome, for anything that is not normal.

By: Dipak Gadekar

Dipak Gadekar — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:03:42 +0000

It really makes me ponder who really is the Blind?
Really, we are so insensitive to the needs and more importantly the potential many of such people possess.
We want to live in our comfort zone, oblivious of our responsibilities as a member of the Society towards the differently abled.
In fact those in power should use it for the benefit of such members, else what use is that power of?
Thanks for sharing.

By: Arvind chittewale

Arvind chittewale — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:45:24 +0000

Thanks Vivek for sharing. Keep mentoring us. We all have many BLIND SPOTS and a blind date with you will bring it in open arena.
One 0f your BLINDs I have observed is your modesty

By: Sujata Deshmukh

Sujata Deshmukh — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:14:33 +0000

This is most inspiring sir. You not only talk about Goma and her emotions, but also share your emotions about how to help her. I think if we all admit to our vulnerabilities and try and support each other, life would work well. The part about asking her to showcase her abilities is key to her winning. I had a similar experience with a student in TISS. He was part of a batch and he kept losing out on a job in the final round! I had the opportunity of appreciating his keen mind and articulation ability, the fact that he felt strongly about issues and that he read extensively. Watching Md Ashif of PwC demonstrating the software that allowed him to function effortlessly helped me to select this student who ‘incidentally was visually challenged;. He went on to join as a consultant and go on study in US and then do a PhD. It needs someone to encourage and take first step and sets the path for rest of us to follow. Sir this blog will be inspiring to many. Students and Recruiters.