Shree Ramana Maharishi School for the Blind

Project Brief: Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind (SRMAB) is a voluntary organization that works with people who have various disabilities and the socially deprived.
Project Type: Children with Disabilities (description)
Primary Focus: children with disabilities (description)

Secondary Focus: vocational training

Area: Rural
Supporting Chapter Contact: Arizona
Status: completed - sustainable
Project Steward: Caroline Lobo
Project Partner(s):
Other Contacts:
Project Address: , 3rd Cross, 3rd Phase,Near Ragi Gudda,J.P. Nagar,
KARNATAKA  560 078
Tel: 91 80 6631076
Stewarding Chapter: Arizona
Dec 2000ArizonaUSD 1000

Total = $1000

This project supports the highly effective educational facilities being provided for the vocational training and guidance of handicapped and blind children and adults to make them self-reliant and independent.
The Academy works closely with several organizations and groups locally, nationally and internationally with the objective of sharing experience and dissemination of information. An endeavor is also made to project the courageous determination and versatility displayed by the disabled people through their participation in art, culture, music and sports.
It all began in 1968, when a group of friends set off for Sri Ramanashramam at Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu seeking realization. This group was led by 26 year old T.V. Srinivasan. Also in the group was a young boy, 17 years of age called Thirumurthy who expressed doubts on the purpose of self-actualization and instead advocated working for a social cause. Inspired by Thirumurthy, Srinivasan resigned his job and got trained in teaching blind people.

On his return, he started a school for the blind, functioning in a small room at his house, with a student and a donation of Rs. 60/- on 18th June 1969.

Today, the Academy has five branches covering different activities, and more than 2500 people have benefited from its 25 years of existence.