Book on Sanskrit grammar in Braille released in Nashik

A book on Sanskrit grammar in Braille was released on Monday by Nashik Run Charitable Trust (NRCT) in coordination with Blind Welfare Organisation (BWO) here.

NRCT, an initiative by Bosch and Epcos companies, had collected funds for the project through charity runs conducted every year in the city. The NRCT organises a 7-km run on the second Sunday of January every year. The 2012 run will the 10th year when Nashikites participate in the run and buy T-shirts to contribute for funds.

The book’s author, a retired teacher, Chandrakant Pathak said the book aims to promote understanding of Sanskrit among the visually impaired.

Chairman of NRCT, Gopikumar said, “Through these funds we have supported many projects in areas of health, education, natural calamities, for differently abled, environment, community development and care. We have used 36% of the total funds for medical aid, 36% for education and the rest in other areas.”

Arun Bharaskar of BWO, who is visually impaired himself, said, “The NRCT has been assisting the BWO in their projects, particularly in education. A book on Sanskrit grammar in Braille was urgently needed for visually impaired school and college students. Blind Welfare Organisation therefore took up the project and approached the NRCT for assistance. They agreed and the first effort in this direction is seen today.”

“Efforts are being made to preserve Sanskrit. If the visually impaired are also able to learn this language, it will a great contribution  and so the NRCT funded the project,” said Saleel Raje, secretary of NRCT.

The NRCT hopes 25,000 Nashikites would participate in the January 8, 2012 run.