When coronavirus pandemic hit, 26- year old Babloo Kumar worked as a call center executive in Delhi. He enjoyed living independently and paying for his expenses with the monthly remuneration he earned. This included visiting banks and withdrawing money from an ATM when needed.
Unfortunately he lost his job and was forced to return to his hometown in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Here he visited the local public bank to open his savings account to enjoy hassle free banking services like he did back in Delhi. However, he was in for a rude shock when his bank refused to offer phone banking service or an ATM card. The officials said he was ineligible for such facilities as he was blind.
He tried hard to explain to the bank authorities that he was capable of using such services independently but the ignorant staff did not budge. Disappointed he reached out to Eyeway seeking help. They Eyeway counsellor in Delhi was quick to understand his issue and provided him with necessary RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and IBA (Indian Banking Association) issued guidelines citing that banks cannot deny service to anyone on the grounds of disability.
Despite being a graduate and a working professional contributing to the economy, blind customers like Babloo are denied banking rights-an essential service amid the pandemic crisis.
Babloo aspires to be a banker himself and is appalled at the lack of awareness on the rights of visually impaired people in the banking sector. To help him achieve his goal, Eyeway has also apprised him of various online classes and study material he can access to prepare for the banking examinations.
Babloo is hopeful that with more visually impaired people employed in the sector, current scenario will be replaced with increased awareness among the sighted people.