Vision beyond sight: Riddhi Soni’s inspiring journey

Surat: Riddhi Soni, 33, doesn't need a phonebook to recall numbers. Her razor-sharp memory has long impressed those around her — but it's her resilience and determination that have left a lasting impact. Recently, Soni earned her PhD in English from Gujarat University with her thesis titled "Feminist Issues in Select Dalit Works: A Critique". And she did it without the gift of sight.
An assistant professor at BKM Science College in Valsad, Riddhi's brilliance always stood out. "Even able-bodied students find it challenging to meet the demands of a PhD but Riddhi completed her research with precision and confidence," said her PhD guide, Dr Kavita Patel, professor and head of the department of English at GLS Sadguna and BD College, Ahmedabad. "During her viva, she delivered her PowerPoint presentation flawlessly — without missing a single detail."
Born with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, Riddhi lost both her eyes before she turned one. If that weren't enough, her father died in an accident when she was just two. Left without a support system in Ahmedabad, her mother Sonal moved the family to Amreli, moving in with her brother. There, Sonal began rebuilding their lives, working tirelessly to support her twins, Riddhi and Ridham.
"Riddhi was always been bright and focused," Sonal told TOI. "She has the ability to remember whatever she studies and she has trained her mind in a way that she does not need to revise it."
As her mother juggled work, Riddhi moved into a hostel in Ahmedabad for her studies, while the family continued to support her in every way they could. She excelled academically, eventually completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in English with distinction.
To fund her PhD, Riddhi took up a lecturer's position at Birsa Munda Tribal University in Rajpipla. While teaching, she simultaneously pursued her doctoral research — relying on technology to serve her in ways her eyes could not.
"Tech tools and mobile apps transformed the way I study," Riddhi told TOI. "There are platforms that scan books and convert them into accessible formats. These resources have made it possible for students like me to chase our dreams."
Her principal at BKM Science College, Vikas Desai, praised not just her scholarship, but her presence in the classroom. "Riddhi is a gifted teacher. Her students listen in pin-drop silence, fully engaged. Despite her challenges, she never let anything come in the way of her goals."
Appointed to her role on merit, Riddhi's story is one of grit, intellect, and quiet strength. Her life stands as a powerful reminder that disability is never a limitation when determination leads the way.
Surat: Riddhi Soni, 33, doesn't need a phonebook to recall numbers. Her razor-sharp memory has long impressed those around her — but it's her resilience and determination that have left a lasting impact. Recently, Soni earned her PhD in English from Gujarat University with her thesis titled "Feminist Issues in Select Dalit Works: A Critique". And she did it without the gift of sight.
An assistant professor at BKM Science College in Valsad, Riddhi's brilliance always stood out. "Even able-bodied students find it challenging to meet the demands of a PhD but Riddhi completed her research with precision and confidence," said her PhD guide, Dr Kavita Patel, professor and head of the department of English at GLS Sadguna and BD College, Ahmedabad. "During her viva, she delivered her PowerPoint presentation flawlessly — without missing a single detail."
Born with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, Riddhi lost both her eyes before she turned one. If that weren't enough, her father died in an accident when she was just two. Left without a support system in Ahmedabad, her mother Sonal moved the family to Amreli, moving in with her brother. There, Sonal began rebuilding their lives, working tirelessly to support her twins, Riddhi and Ridham.
"Riddhi was always been bright and focused," Sonal told TOI. "She has the ability to remember whatever she studies and she has trained her mind in a way that she does not need to revise it."
As her mother juggled work, Riddhi moved into a hostel in Ahmedabad for her studies, while the family continued to support her in every way they could. She excelled academically, eventually completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in English with distinction.
To fund her PhD, Riddhi took up a lecturer's position at Birsa Munda Tribal University in Rajpipla. While teaching, she simultaneously pursued her doctoral research — relying on technology to serve her in ways her eyes could not.
"Tech tools and mobile apps transformed the way I study," Riddhi told TOI. "There are platforms that scan books and convert them into accessible formats. These resources have made it possible for students like me to chase our dreams."
Her principal at BKM Science College, Vikas Desai, praised not just her scholarship, but her presence in the classroom. "Riddhi is a gifted teacher. Her students listen in pin-drop silence, fully engaged. Despite her challenges, she never let anything come in the way of her goals."
Appointed to her role on merit, Riddhi's story is one of grit, intellect, and quiet strength. Her life stands as a powerful reminder that disability is never a limitation when determination leads the way.