In Bangladesh the count goes beyond 13 lakhs.
However, in step with the changing world many of them are progressing forward in this unseen world. Rabbi and Rojina are a fitting example of this. Both of them are blind. They came across each other at a musical performance. Love bloomed and they got married in 2001 in secret, without informing their families. Thus began their conjugal life.
In majority of cases this handicap is caused by malnutrition where these blind people remain as targets for the society’s pity. Sad but true, the majority of people in the society hold the concept that since these people are blind they cannot do much in their life.
But the truth is that if they are given proper avenues for learning, like training centers, and if they have the will to surpass their handicap, then they too can get the inspiration to live a life like any normal person.
A glaring example of this is Rabbi and Rojina. They are leading a life like any other middle class people, without turning their blindness into a handicap. They have a beautiful daughter. Like any other regular parent they too are worried about how to best raise their child. Rabbi-Regina both are office-goers. Even in their busy life they give quality time to their daughter as well as to their relationship.
The strength of my reportage is the fact that I have brought the story of two strong and independent blind people to the viewers. I have shown that blind does not always equate with powerlessness but they too can have a fulfilling, meaningful life like any one of us.
The weakness in the pictures is mainly on the technical side. I had meant to portray blindness with blurry images to show the lack of vision. However, when the pictures were scanned I was told that they had failed to capture that essence and viewers would like to see clear images. So I think I should have consulted with my teachers before taking such a step.
I would like my reportage to be published in a newspaper. People would spend time to read my reportage because it would erase their misconceptions about blindness and blind people.
Rojina laughs in front of the mirror where her own reflection is unknown to her
Rabbi teaching his students the essentials of telephone operation
Rojina works in the receptionarea.
She is in search of an important telephone number
Rojina cannot cross the road herself. When she goes to or returns from office she takes the aid of any stranger to help her cross the road
Rabbi playing a guitar in his leisure time after office as his daughter dances to his tunes
Counting money is a big hassle for blind people
Nahi watches TV with her eyes, while her parents watch with their ears
Nahi is feeding her mother
Rojina has a unique way to teach her child poems. She first listens to the lines and memorizes them. After that she records it in the tape and then count the lines to check the sequence
While Nahi studies, her parents sit listening to her. Though Rabbi and Rojina cannot see, this way they spend quality time with their child
Rojina instructs her maid when guests visit. Even though she is blind that does not make any difference to her participating in daily family life
A moment of bonding between husband and wife after office hours
Like any other child in a family where both parents work, Nahi spends her lonely time watching TV
