What struck me a few minutes into our telephonic conversation was Kamlesh’s vibrant, vivacious, chatty, bubbly voice and style of speaking. The 32-year-old who goes by a single name introduces herself by saying, “I can do everything – from A to Z.”
Born with only 25% vision which has now reduced to 10%, she is totally blind when outdoors in bright sunlight. The youngest of six siblings, three of whom like her are also partially sighted and cannot see in daylight, at five years, was admitted to Capt. Chandanlal’s Special School for the Blind (CCSSB) in Gurugram. “I was so unhappy and lonely and took a long time to adjust. The other children and teachers would try to cheer me up. Even learning Braille took me almost six months which is an unusually long period. This was because I tried to use my limited sight and Braille simultaneously which was quite confusing,” Kamlesh recalls.
And continues, “Maths was my favourite subject. English was my worst even though Neena (Aneja) Ma’am would spend extra time tutoring me. I was nervous as couldn’t speak English fluently. Have improved now. I still keep in touch with my teachers.”
“From Class 9th onwards till 12th Board exams, I stayed in the AICB hostel where Kaul Sir educated me at Crescent School. Then did my BA (Pass) from IT College, New Delhi. In 2013 joined SCERT College for Teachers Training, Gurugram and continue to work there as a clerk which includes various other jobs including managing the library,” she says.
Kamlesh married visually impaired Lokesh Kumar who is Assistant Manager at State Bank of India, Nehru Place, New Delhi. He was also a student as CCSSB, but they met while both were at AICB and fell in love. She describes him as “very quiet, while I am very talkative!”
The couple have two children, Daksh, 8, who is normally sighted and Tanvi, 6, partially sighted. She is being treated at Sankara Nethralaya, in New Delhi.
The girl with a positive attitude, signs off with, “I am very independent and love meeting people. My passion is cooking – vegetarian and non-veg dishes – with sambar being my favourite. One day you must come and have a meal with us,” she invites.
Contact:
Kamlesh
Mobile: +91-9810592717
