Bhubaneswar: In order to facilitate visually impaired persons around the world to express their views and opinions, a Braille magazine, ‘The Braille Communique’, was launched here.
Claimed to be the first such magazine in the world, it was released by Minister of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Ashok Chandra Panda on the occasion of Independence Day. He said the launch of the biannual magazine was a historic step for the differently abled persons. The magazine is an initiative of ‘Salaam Jeevan’, a voluntary organization.
Speaking on the occasion, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Dr. Sareeta Behera said, “We have got phenomenal response from people in various parts of the world. Articles and contributions from persons with disabilities from three countries including India have been published in the first volume. We will be disseminating views and opinions through the magazine to global fraternity of the differently abled persons across the world.”
Amrita Rani Sahu, Associate Editor of The Braille Communique said, “There are 12 million visually impaired population in India and 39 million in the world. The magazine will give an opportunity to them a platform to express their views.”
Associate Editor of the magazine, co-founder and MD of Salaam Jeevan, Md Imran Ali, said, “As an academic and advocacy-based magazine, the Braille Communique is first of its kind in the entire world.”
This magazine will be a hope for this marginalized population, said Sambit Nanda, Director, Salaam Jeevan. Visiting cards scripted in Braille language were also releasedd on the occasion.
Sannyashai Kumar Behera, DSSO-HQ, SSEPD and Tejeswar Parida, former chairperson of Odisha Khadi And Village Industry Board also spoke.
