In this inspiring episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Chhonzin Angmo, the first visually challenged person from India and the first visually challenged woman in the world to climb Mount Everest.
Born in Chango village, Kinnaur district, Chhonzin’s journey from a small Himalayan village to the highest peak on earth is one of extraordinary courage and determination. A graduate of Miranda House, University of Delhi, and now working with Union Bank of India, she proves that resilience and purpose can take you anywhere — even to the roof of the world.
From training on ice-clad slopes to facing moments of fear and exhaustion, Chhonzin’s story is about mental strength, courage, and the will to keep moving when everything tells you to stop. Her climb is not just a personal victory but an inspiration for every person who has ever been told “you can’t.”
What You’ll Learn
How Chhonzin Angmo made history on Mount Everest
Her journey from Kinnaur to Delhi to the world stage
Losing eyesight due to wrong medication — and rebuilding life with purpose
The importance of mental strength over physical limits
Training, discipline, and the challenges of high-altitude mountaineering
How inclusion and opportunity can turn dreams into milestones
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:15 - Growing up in Chango village, Kinnaur district
05:10 - Journey into mountaineering
08:30 - Training and preparation
12:00 - Facing challenges on the climb
16:45 - Lessons in mental strength
20:15 - Making history on Mount Everest
23:30 - Message to others with disabilities
Guest: Chhonzin Angmo, Mountaineer, graduate of Miranda House (Delhi University), and employee at Union Bank of India — the first visually challenged person from India and the first visually challenged woman in the world to climb Mount Everest.
About Eyeway Conversations
Eyeway Conversations brings real stories of people living with blindness and vision impairment—highlighting their journeys of education, employment, and empowerment. Powered by Score Foundation, Eyeway aims to foster inclusion through awareness, dialogue, and shared experiences.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, call the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
What does courage look like when life takes everything away?
In this episode of Eyeway Rubaru, we meet Rani (Pramodini Roul) — an acid attack survivor who lost her vision but not her will to live. From pain and rejection to finding freedom and self-worth, Rani’s story is a powerful reminder that even in darkness, the human spirit can shine the brightest.
“Even though this face is burnt, it motivates people. It gives courage to those who can’t move forward in life,” says Rani, who turned her scars into symbols of strength and hope.
Eyeway Rubaru is an initiative by Score Foundation under Project Eyeway — a platform that brings forward stories of people who experience late blindness and rebuild their lives with courage, dignity, and determination.
Watch Rani’s journey of transformation from surviving an acid attack to inspiring countless others and discover what it truly means to rise again.
Listen to the full episode of Eyeway Rubaru now! If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, call the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this thought-provoking episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Ishan Chakraborty, professor of English at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Dr. Chakraborty shares his journey of losing vision at 19, finding his voice through literature, and shaping academic spaces that embrace disability, gender, and diversity.
Through his story, we explore how disability and queerness intersect in a world that often overlooks both. From challenging stereotypes in higher education to “Cripping” the classroom, Dr. Chakraborty’s journey redefines what it means to teach, learn, and live authentically.
Join us as we uncover how language, technology, and activism come together to build a more inclusive world—where blindness and identity are not barriers but lenses through which we understand humanity.
What You’ll Learn
How blindness shaped Dr. Chakraborty’s academic and personal journey
The idea of “Crip Pedagogy” and inclusive teaching
Intersection of queerness and disability in India
The role of technology in empowering persons with vision impairment
How academia can embrace diversity and disability as central, not peripheral
Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
2:10 - Choosing Literature Over Commerce
5:15 - Losing Vision at 19
8:00 - Learning Braille and Mobility
11:30 - Building Confidence and Identity
13:05 - Disability in Academia
15:40 - What is “Crip” Thinking?
19:50 - Gender, Disability, and Inclusion
23:20 - Finding Space as a Queer, Blind Academic
Guest: Dr. Ishan Chakraborty, Professor of English, Jadavpur University
Eyeway Conversations brings real stories of people living with blindness and vision impairment—highlighting their journeys of education, employment, and empowerment.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, call the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Zuhaib Khan, a young professional from Lucknow who lost his vision gradually due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Zuhaib opens up about how vision loss reshaped his life—his education, friendships, and career—and how he learned to navigate the world with resilience and purpose. From studying science and facing barriers in mainstream education to finding new direction through radio, technology, and advocacy, Zuhaib’s story is one of transformation and courage.
A passionate radio enthusiast, he shares how sound became his companion and how, for someone blind, radio holds a depth and intimacy that sighted listeners can never fully understand. Today, Zuhaib works to empower others with visual impairments, spreading awareness and confidence through his lived experience.
Tune in to hear his story of acceptance, growth, and the power of sound.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Pradeep Gangvar—a teacher, poet, musician, and social worker from Lucknow.
Pradeep’s story takes us from a small farming family in Bareilly to the ashrams of Vrindavan, the classrooms of Lucknow University, and into his life as a music teacher and social advocate. Along the way, he discovered poetry as his voice for social change, wrote on issues ranging from corruption to women’s empowerment, and became deeply involved in improving education and opportunities for the visually impaired in Uttar Pradesh.
In this heartfelt conversation, Pradeep shares how resilience, education, and creativity shaped his journey—and why he continues to see poetry and music as tools for social transformation.
Listen now to discover the man behind the poems and the melodies, and how he’s lighting the way for others.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
Losing sight is not just a physical change—it’s an emotional journey.
Meet Pratishtha, Assistant Manager at SBI, who lost her vision completely at 26. From navigating the trauma of vision loss to challenging perceptions at her workplace, her story is one of resilience, acceptance, and strength.
Tune in to hear how she rebuilt her life while dealing with emotional barriers, societal attitudes, and the everyday challenges of blindness.
Listen to the full episode of Eyeway Rubaru now!If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, call the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham is joined by Matthew Horspool, a blind professional from Coventry, United Kingdom. Blind since birth, Matthew opens up about his childhood, his education in special schools, and the challenges of stepping into mainstream spaces.
Today, he works across the UK supporting blind people in their workplaces, but that’s only part of his story. From navigating accessibility in banking and technology to pursuing his lifelong passion for music, Matthew’s journey is layered and full of surprising turns.
Tune in to discover how he built his path.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
Can you imagine working for 25 years in a field you love only to suddenly lose it all?
Anshu Jaiswal spent 25 years in the hospitality industry. A successful hotel professional, she lived a vibrant life filled with travel, food, and family. But when she lost her vision due to diabetic retinopathy, everything changed.
This is Eyeway Rubaru, where we talk to people who have experienced late blindness in their lives to understand their journeys.
Anshu didn’t stop. She started her own food business, and rebuilt joy with the help of family and friends.
Her story reminds us: losing sight doesn't mean losing direction.
Listen to the full episode now
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Or visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
Agustya Mehta is the Director of Hardware Engineering at Meta, leading a team that prototypes new hardware and software — from early mixed reality headsets to cutting-edge wearable devices. Among Meta’s most talked-about products is the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, designed for the mainstream market but proving to be a game-changer for blind and low vision users.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, Agustya shares:
How the first prototype for AI-enabled smart glasses emerged from a Meta hackathon
Why blind and low vision employees at Meta pushed for accessible features
How AI in the glasses can read text, describe images, and identify objects
The importance of mainstream design in reducing stigma around assistive tech
What’s next for India: more language support, local partnerships, and affordability strategies
If you know someone with vision impairment who could benefit from accessible tech, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
They told him his face made people uncomfortable.
Manoj Kumar, an acid attack survivor, has been job hunting for years — not because he lacks skills, but because society can’t look past his scars.
This is Eyeway Rubaru, where we talk to people who have experienced late blindness in their lives to understand their journeys.
It leaves us wondering: If we claim to be an inclusive society, why do we force people like Manoj to cover their faces just to step outside? Why do we measure human worth by appearance rather than ability?
Help Manoj get a Job.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
Or Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
After losing her mother, Aanchal began to lose her eyesight just before her Class 10 exams. Despite the emotional and physical challenges, she didn’t stop.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, Aanchal shares her powerful journey—from being denied admission due to her blindness to cracking CLAT and becoming a lawyer. Now working with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, she’s helping shape a more inclusive legal and digital system in India.
Aanchal talks about:
Navigating mainstream education as a blind student
Facing institutional rejection and choosing law over medicine
Preparing for CLAT with minimal accessible resources
Working at top law firms and pushing for structural inclusion
Fighting for digital accessibility as a fundamental right
She also reflects on the recent Supreme Court judgment that recognised digital accessibility as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
Siddharth Mahajan grew up in Vijayapura, a small town in northern Karnataka. Born blind, he faced many challenges in school, including being teased and excluded. But with the support of his family and a few teachers who believed in him, Siddharth slowly built a strong academic path for himself.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, he talks about:
Studying in a mainstream school as a blind student
Developing a deep interest in English literature
Interning with The Hindu and completing online global courses
Teaching himself music and releasing his first Kannada track
Why he wants to become a professor and change how people see disability in education
If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the
Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334
Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sandeep Sharma, a government school teacher from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Blind since childhood, Sandeep’s journey is rooted in curiosity—from tinkering with radios and playing harmonium to mastering screen readers and launching one of the most unique platforms for blind users: Techno with Friends.
What started as a group of friends sharing tech tips evolved into a YouTube channel, a 24x7 internet radio, and a hub of accessible learning content—including tutorials on music production, screen readers, and computers. Sandeep’s love for Hindi, his innovative DIY spirit, and his belief in self-learning are inspiring a generation of visually impaired individuals across India.
Listen in to hear how one teacher turned his limitations into a launchpad.
Connect with Techno With Friends:WhatsApp: 9460504850YouTube: Techno With Friends
For guidance on life with blindness, call the Eyeway National Helpdesk: 8800 004 334
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Ummehaani Bagasrawala, a corporate executive at Deutsche Bank and the founder of Pearls of Vision. Ummehaani shares her journey navigating the structured world of banking, her early career in marketing and sales, and the personal challenges she faced as a visually impaired student seeking accessible education.
She talks about facing exclusion in the workplace, the lack of systemic support for students with disabilities, and how these experiences motivated her to start Pearls of Vision, a volunteer-led initiative that connects blind students with scribes, readers, and career guidance.
Tune in to hear how one woman turned everyday hurdles into meaningful support for others in the blind community.
For scribe or reader support, or to volunteer, reach out to Pearls of Vision via WhatsApp or social media.
Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334 www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sameer Latey, a finance professional with over 25 years of corporate experience, currently working at Reliance Industries.
Despite losing his vision completely in 2000, Sameer pursued Chartered Accountancy, navigated articleship without digital accessibility, and steadily built a successful career in finance and accounting. From Tally and SAP to mergers, acquisitions, and taxation, his professional footprint spans major organizations across Mumbai.
Beyond work, Sameer is actively involved with Snehankit Helpline, mentoring others, developing screen reader-compatible Tally training, and supporting blind students with accessible study materials. In this conversation, he shares:
How he entered finance and cracked CA before accessibility tools were mainstream
Working in diverse roles at Union Bank, MCX, and Reliance
Tips on navigating corporate life as a blind professional
How screen readers, self-learning, and teamwork shaped his career
His ongoing volunteer work and why staying updated is non-negotiable
Reflections on AI’s growing role in finance and accessibility
Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334 www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Nyonyok, a multi-talented blind student from Arunachal Pradesh, currently pursuing English Honours at St. Edmund's College, Shillong.
From growing up in a remote corner of Northeast India with limited awareness about disability, to becoming an international blind football player, rapper, music producer, and voice artist—Nyonyok’s story is full of quiet determination and creativity.
In this episode, he shares:
His early years in inclusive and residential schools across Assam and Meghalaya
Representing India in blind football, and his childhood experiments with tying plastic bags to footballs to make them audible
Discovering his voice through music in class 3, and later teaching himself beatboxing and multiple instruments
Transitioning into rap music as a form of personal expression, delivering 478 words per minute
Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334
Learn more at: www.scorefoundation.org.in
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sagar Patil, a visually impaired entrepreneur from Mumbai and founder of Ideal Innovative Group (IIG).
After being denied admission to study electronics due to his blindness, Sagar pursued his passion independently—repairing radios, reading technical manuals, and learning through practice. What began as self-study evolved into a structured business model. Today, he designs and manufactures solar-powered torches, sensor-based lighting, and accessible tools such as talking multimeters—devices now used by other blind professionals.
Sagar also runs a training program where visually impaired individuals learn electronics and gain work experience. Some go on to join his company, while others start ventures of their own in cities across Maharashtra.
In this conversation, he shares:
How curiosity led him to electronics
Designing tools tailored for blind users
Collaborating with companies like Tata Power and Mahindra
Creating food products using mushroom byproducts
Supporting others to build independent livelihoods
For information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334
Listen to the full episode now.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with O. Aishwarya, a PhD scholar at IIIT Bangalore, working at the intersection of assistive technology, social sciences, and inclusive education.
Aishwarya’s research focuses on developing tactile art opportunities for children who are blind, with a goal to establish an independent grammar of tactile expression—distinct from visual interpretations. Through her work, she questions visual-centric notions of art and explores how texture, space, and sequencing redefine creative engagement for blind learners.
She also opens up about:
Studying in mainstream schools in Kerala and Karnataka, and the gaps in inclusive practices
Her experience of being denied access to swimming pools in Bangalore, despite being a trained swimmer
Missing out on geometry, lab work, and life skills due to a lack of accessible pedagogy
Learning braille, computer skills, and mobility much later, led entirely by family effort and timing
The shift she experienced when Azim Premji University proactively asked her about accommodations—an empowering first step.
This is a compelling conversation that challenges conventional ideas of access, participation, and the role of institutions in enabling inclusion.
For information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334
Listen to the full episode now.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Divya Bijur, a Mumbai-based physiotherapist and trained singer. Divya, who is visually impaired, has built a successful independent practice while pursuing her passion for music,travel and languages.
She shares her journey of navigating physiotherapy education at a time when mainstream inclusion for visually impaired students was rare in India. Drawing from her international exposure in the UK and Australia, Divya adopted adaptive techniques and practical solutions to deliver high-quality patient care.
🔹 Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy through mainstream education 🔹 Establishing her own clinic to create a structured and accessible work environment 🔹 Building patient relationships through communication and personalized care 🔹 Developing a love for languages, travel, and Hindustani classical music 🔹 Using music as a medium for self-expression and emotional wellbeing
Divya’s story offers insight into determination, professional excellence, and the importance of accessible education and workspaces for persons with disabilities.
For information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 1800 53 20469
Listen to the full conversation now.
In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Sanjay Jain, Professor at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Blind since childhood, Dr. Jain opens up about his journey from studying music to becoming a leading academic in law. He reflects on the role of inclusive education, strong mentorship, and self-advocacy in overcoming systemic barriers—both in academia and public life.
From braille textbooks in school to inaccessible law classrooms
Contributing to accessibility reforms under the guidance of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, as part of a Supreme Court Committee
Researching feminism and later championing disability rights
The importance of attitude, technology, and resilience
Guidance for visually impaired students pursuing legal careers
A powerful story of purpose, perseverance, and paving the way for others.
If you or someone you know needs support, call the Eyeway Helpdesk: 1800 53 20469
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