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Few takers for Indian invention for the blind
Thursday, 12 September 2002, 19:30 IST
BANGALORE: He created a technology to translate and print books in Braille over a decade ago, but Vasant Bhat's invention that can open a whole new world for the blind seems to have few takers.
Bhat, 63, got an Indian patent for his invention a decade ago.
In September 1991, using his knowledge of computing, typography and a background in printing, Bhat had put together an "improved process of composing and printing" in Braille script.
The technology allowed conversion of computerized normal text into "disaphered" -- raised above the page -- Braille text. But Bhat is still looking for someone who would appreciate this utility.
Bhat, who is currently the managing director of ITR Graphic Systems and ITR Interactive Edusoft -- two private firms, says his technology is particularly useful in the case of Indian languages as "the order in which a word is read is not always the same as the order in which it is written".
He says his technology helps convert the Indian language text -- say in Hindi or Marathi -- into an easy-to-read Braille version. Next, this text is printing with special ink and thermo-graphic printing.
He says this process can mix any picture, illustration or diagrams that are otherwise not normally possible.
Another thing going in favor of his technology, Bhat says, is that raised thermo-graphy is superior to traditional Braille, made by puncturing the page because the latter tends to get worn out over time, whereas his solution doesn't.
Now Bhat would like someone to realize the potential of his work for the blind. "Unless there are some sponsors, or the government takes text books (in Indian language Braille) from me, it will not work," Bhat told IANS.
According to the Blind Foundation for India, the country has about 13 million blind people, of which two million are children. It says only five percent of the blind children get an education.
One regional newspaper in Maharashtra, where Bhat is based, had made used of this experiment. The "Kesari" newspaper brought out 250 copies of a special Braille edition to mark the 110th anniversary of its publication some time back.
Bhat recalls that when the newspaper staff approached the blind, they asked for certain sections of Kesari to be reproduced.
"They get news off the TV or the radio, but can't get to read editorial comments. So what was offered was the editor's opinions, best cartoon of the week, the crossword, a one-line astrology guide," he said.
Bhat is enthusiastic about the wide range of work he has taken. He started off in 1956 as a trader.
Realizing the market for education in an India just emerging out of colonialism and the need for widespread literacy, he set up a shop for schoolbooks and opened a stationery business.
In the 1960s, Bhat moved into an aluminum-anodizing workshop. Since he had "very good contacts" with both schools and factories, he actually went ahead and set up his own printing press.
"We needed to buy (Indian language) types. But, on going to the type foundry, we found there were very, very few available," he recalls.
So, in 1968, he himself launched a matrix-manufacturing factory using imported machinery from Japan.
Source: IANS
Source: IANS
