Turning the Tide: A Blind Man’s Fight for Financial Independence

In Khagaria district of Bihar, Mohammad Nazmi lost his sight in 2011 due to complications from a fever and its medication. Growing up in a low-income household—his father working as a labourer and the family relying on a Divyangjan pension of Rs. 400—Nazmi encountered several challenges along the way.

Yet, his determination shone through. Despite the challenges, he completed his 10th standard in 2020 and his 12th in 2021 through the Bihar Open Board. However, basic banking services remained a dream. Day after day, Nazmi spent long hours in bank queues, depending on others to fill in transaction slips. Even routine Aadhaar-based withdrawals cost him extra charges, while bank officials dismissed his thumb impression and refused to issue an ATM card—citing his inability to sign.

In October 2024, Nazmi reached out to the Eyeway Helpdesk, seeking a way to overcome these financial barriers. His conversation with an Eyeway counsellor not only provided him with clear banking guidelines for visually impaired customers but also paved the way for further action. When repeated visits to the bank were still met with denial, the counsellor took the next step—speaking directly with the bank manager about the rights of visually impaired individuals to accessible banking services.
After persistent advocacy from Eyeway, the breakthrough finally arrived. The bank issued Nazmi an ATM card, and with that, he made his first independent withdrawal of Rs. 1,000—a small sum, but a monumental step toward financial independence.

Today, Nazmi’s journey is far from over. With Eyeway’s ongoing support, he is now exploring further education and vocational training in computer skills, mobility, and spoken English, all aimed at unlocking his dream of a government job.

Team Eyeway