From being escorted out of a bank to working behind the counter

Pinku Kumar, twenty-seven, lives with his mother, four brothers, and one sister in Nalanda, Bihar. At the age of twelve—shortly after completing his sixth standard in 2005—he lost his vision to smallpox, completely transforming his life.

The sudden loss of sight was devastating, leading to a two-year coma. After regaining consciousness, Pinku was unsure on how to resume his life and education without any guidance. It wasn’t until he discovered the Eyeway program “Roshani Ka Karvan”  through the radio that he realised blindness didn’t mean the end of his educational journey. 

Through Eyeway’s intervention, Pinku’s path to education began again. Initially, Eyeway connected him with Rajkiya Uchch Netrahin Vidyalay in Patna, but when capacity issues arose, they quickly found an alternative—a residential bridge course program near his home. There, he successfully mastered essential skills like Braille and mobility while completing his seventh and eighth standards.

His determination led him through various adaptations in his learning journey—from Braille books to audio recordings, and finally to digital resources with guidance from Saksham. They introduced him to the National Digital Library, Sugamya Pustakalaya, India’s first and largest collection of accessible books. This persistence carried him through high school, university graduation, and post-graduation from Delhi University’s School of Open Learning.

However, Pinku’s journey wasn’t without challenges. During his tenth standard, when he attempted to open a bank account, The bank’s initial response led to several rejections and even had him escorted out—a disheartening experience. However, with Eyeway’s persistent support and advocacy, he eventually succeeded in opening his account, an achievement that sparked his interest in the banking sector.
Pinku acquired crucial computer skills and technology training through help from various organisations through some guidance from the counsellor. His perseverance finally paid off when he secured a clerical position at Canara Bank’s Ludhiana branch in Punjab

Now working at the bank and well-versed in the guidelines, he ensures that every visually impaired individual receives the support they need to access their banking rights—paying forward the assistance he once received. His transformation from a young boy who once faced daunting challenges to a professional who works in the Bank showcases the power of rehabilitation and the importance of fighting for one’s rights.

Team Eyeway