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PRAGYA NIKETAN- AN UNIQUE INSTITUTION TO REHABILITATE

AND EDUCATE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED PEOPLE

As an unique experiment, probably the first of its kind in the country to provide higher education to blind and handicapped persons, a charitable institution, named �Pragya Niketan� was established in the year 1999 through the efforts of a highly devoted and learned lady, Dr. Kusum lata Bhandari at Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The blind boys and girls after their schooling in other schools, are admitted here and are provided with full-fledged facilities for boarding, lodging, recreations, games, sports, music etc. all free of cost. The students are coached for pursuing studies leading to B.A., B.Ed., M.A. and Ph.D. programmes. The Institution is run like a residential school and is duly recognized by Jai Narayan Vyas University at Jodhpur. The average expenditure on each student comes to about Rs. 10,000 per year, which is met by the Pragya Niketan through support received from charitable trusts, N.G.O.�s and individual donors. Presently, there are 30 students and efforts are going on to increase the capacity of intake. So far, 18 studnts have passed B.Ed. and others are studying for B.A. and M.A. courses. One student, having passed M.A. is working for Ph.D. He has passed NET examination and cleared RPSC examination for appointment as Lecturer in University colleges. With the help from this institution, many persons have been able to build their careers and earn employment in private companies and Government departments. Several of them having undergone vocational courses at this school, have started their own jobs. They can operate computers, do typing and manage STD booth.