- Dedicated teacher, Mrs. Preeti Shandilya was honored by the Governor for her outstanding and innovative contribution in the field of education for the differently-abled.
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, provides an opportunity to honor the achievements, rights, and empowerment of women in society. In keeping with this spirit, Chhattisgarh has launched a remarkable initiative to advance the educational empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.
Last January, at a prestigious state-level event held at Lok Bhavan, Civil Lines, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka released two important Braille books—”Success Stories of Disabled Women” and “Heroes of Chhattisgarh.” More than 3,000 audiobooks designed for visually impaired students were also released.
This initiative has emerged as a new ray of hope, especially for girls and women with disabilities who face difficulties accessing educational resources under normal circumstances. Braille books and audiobooks are now providing them with opportunities to pursue education as well as self-reliance.
At the event, Mrs. Preeti Shandilya, a dedicated teacher from Dhamtari district, was honored by the Governor for her outstanding and innovative contributions to education for the disabled. Her efforts have accelerated the production of Braille books and audiobooks, opening new avenues of education for visually impaired children, especially girls.
The released audiobooks include lessons on all subjects from grades 6th to 12th, specialized material for competitive exam preparation, Sargujia folktales, general knowledge, women’s empowerment, and information on government schemes for the disabled. All this content has been made available on a single platform on the “World Audiobook” YouTube channel, providing visually impaired students with free and accessible educational resources.
Governor Ramen Deka, praising the teachers’ humanitarian efforts, said that making regular books available in Braille and audio formats is an excellent example of inclusive education. He stated that efforts will be made to expand this initiative to other states so that it can become a national model.
The inspiration for this campaign came after Durg teacher K. Sharda, who received the President’s Award in 2024, received the honor. In this campaign, which began on October 25, 2024, she personally created over 800 audiobooks. Later, with the support of teachers from various districts, this number increased to over 3,100. Previously, Braille books jointly prepared by K. Sharda and Preeti Shandilya have been distributed free of charge to 20 Braille schools in Chhattisgarh, each with 100 copies.
Collector Mr. Abinash Mishra said that the work being done by the district’s teacher, Preeti Shandilya, and all her fellow teachers, for the disabled, is highly commendable and inspiring. He said that this initiative not only makes education inclusive but also strengthens sensitivity, service spirit, and positive thinking in society.
Thirty teachers actively participated in this audiobook production campaign. The Governor honored all the contributing teachers and called it a source of inspiration for society.
This initiative, on the occasion of Women’s Day, is a testament to the fact that when women work for the weaker sections of society through education and service, new possibilities for change emerge. Braille books and audiobooks are opening doors of knowledge for girls and women with disabilities, guiding them toward self-reliance and empowerment.