Tanya Balsara pledges to help 8.8 million Indians with vision loss go digital

MUMBAI: What began as one woman’s personal transformation has blossomed into a nationwide movement. Tanya Balsara, herself visually impaired, inaugurated her 16th computer training centre in Jodhpur last week, bringing her vision of universal digital literacy for blind Indians one step closer to reality.

“Nothing is more enabling, empowering and liberating than computer literacy for the blind,” Balsara declared at the 14th convocation ceremony. “Once you’re computer literate, you’re almost as active as a person with eyesight.”

Her words carry weight. Having personally taught 300 blind students and helped them secure public sector jobs, Balsara knows first-hand how technology can level the playing field. Now, she’s asking everyone to spread the word to India’s 8.8 million visually impaired citizens.

The centres, operating under Madison Resource Foundation (the CSR arm of Madison World), span from Gujarat to Jharkhand. Six facilities dot Gujarat alone, whilst others serve communities in Katni, Narmadapuram, Gaya, and beyond. All offer free computer education alongside English language training, personality development and accessibility testing.

At the convocation, chief guest Preetham Sunkavally exemplified what’s possible. The IIM Ahmedabad graduate told students not to “make a big thing” of their disability. “Set your mind on some goals and pursue them relentlessly,” he urged.

Madison World chairman Sam Balsara, called computer literacy “the most liberating and beneficial act” anyone could offer the blind. Having witnessed his daughter Tanya’s transformation, he’s committed Madison’s resources to the cause.

The message is simple: in today’s digital age, blindness need not be a barrier. With the right tools and training, anything is possible.