Aided by Braille, visually challenged take out car rally in Mumbai

They may not see but that does not deter them from helping someone navigate a car. The 7th Blind Man’s Car Rally, which will flag off today, is an unique initiative in which the driver of every car will be assisted by a navigator who is visually impaired.

“This is one day in the year when the tables turn and people are dependent on the visually impaired to win the race as the entire route is chalked out in Braille. I really feel empowered and have participated in the last six rallies,” says Parinaaz Mubaraki, a navigator.

Rufina Karmali, who has been on the driving seat, and has won the last four rallies, says, “My sons always accompany me in the backseat while I am following the instructions from a visually impaired person. I have been very lucky to have excellent navigators in the past as the whole outcome depends on them as I cannot read Braille.”

This is not a race as there is penalty if you drive fast. “The winner is the one who completes all the checkpoints in a stipulated time with the least number of penalties,” adds Vishal Mirpuri, rally convener and is happy that so far it has been able to provide the much-needed boost of confidence to the visually impaired.

When & Where
7:30 am
The Police Grounds, Worli