This Article is From Jan 11, 2016

Bhopal Hosts Car Rally For Visually Challenged

This year over 40 teams participated in two categories - expert and novice.

Bhopal: With visually challenged people as navigators, drivers took part in a car rally organised in Bhopal on Sunday.

The 10th Blind Challenge car rally was flagged off by Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur.

The navigators used route map in braille language to give directions to the drivers.

Arushi, the NGO that has been hosting the unique car race since 2007, said the idea was to raise awareness for the visually challenged people.

Rohit Trivedi, a member of Arushi, told NDTV, "The main aim of this rally is inclusion of the specially-abled in the society. People at such events interact with the visually challenged understand their challenges and the children also get to interact with people."

Premdas Hariyale, a visually challenged navigator who won the car rally in the novice category, said, "Rallies like these are quite exciting for me. As I feel I am driving the car myself. We tell the driver what to do. We get to meet normal people. It feels good and we become friends also with them."

The car rally has also found recognition in the Limca Book of records. This year over 40 teams participated in two categories - expert and novice. The drivers were not familiar with the route and had to depend entirely on the navigator's instructions to cover the 25 km track. After the rally, there were many participants have decided to volunteered to join NGOs that work with the visually challenged people.

Mahendra Manwani, winner of the car rally in expert category told NDTV, "The specially-abled people are ignored in the society. Such events are a platform for them to connect with us. They are quite enthusiastic about it and gradually become part of the society."
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