When District Panchayat President Babu Parasseri released the first edition of Arabic textbooks in Braille on Saturday, it was the realisation of a 20-year-old dream for many.
Sainaba, an Arabic teacher at Calicut Orphanage School, had been demanding it all these years, but in vain. However, her colleagues at the Kerala Arabic Teachers’ Federation (KATF) left no stone unturned to realise her dream as a retirement gift.
The lack of awareness about technological advancement in Arabic was the major reason for the delay in bringing out the much-needed textbooks in Braille.
Assabah Society for the Blind in Kozhikode took up the challenge and brought out the textbooks in accordance with the instructions of the Education Department.
In the first phase, only textbooks for classes up to 7 have been brought out. However, the society plans to publish books for higher classes in the coming years. Assabah Society is involved in translating major works, including literature, in Arabic into Braille.
Launching the books, Mr. Parasseri said it was a major step towards the educational advancement of the State. Society State president P.A. Abdul Kareem appreciated the support of the State government for the project.
Deputy Director of Education E.K. Suresh Kumar, District Panchayat Vice President Reena Mundengat, district secretary of KATF and district treasurer of the Kerala Federation of the Blind A. Abdul Raheem were present.