India's first Braille magazine, White Print, has illuminated the lives of the visually impaired
A 64-page monthly replete with little dots that connect the hearts of those who cannot see has received much applause and appreciation.
For the past two years, Upasana Makati's brainchild White Print has catered to the reading needs of the visually impaired. But how is it any different from the material already available, you ask? The dynamic, contemporary and evolving content—freshly written month after month for the readers—makes the lifestyle publication an enabler for the visually impaired to gain insight into a range of topics including music, politics, success stories and more.
The lack of resources available as infotainment for the visually impaired was a burgeoning concern for Makati back in 2012. Both online and offline research (and the subsequent disappointing findings) further fuelled her concern and strengthened her resolve to break away from PR and address the situation.
"At the time, it was a legitimate reason to worry," she shares, "The concept of newspapers and magazines is not new to us, so why are the visually impaired deprived of that media?" The inception of White Print sprouted from this thought in May 2013 and has successfully garnered a subscription base spanning the country's length and breadth.
"White Print has subscribers from remote towns and villages—some that I never even knew existed," admits Makati.
The extremely affordable price point of Rs. 30 has given the magazine a wide demographic. "My youngest subscriber is 11 and the oldest is 80 years old," she reveals.
23-year-old aspiring RJ and Deonar resident Kriti Banga feels empowered as a White Print subscriber. "To be able to read something on your own, understand and assimilate it is such a different feeling," she shares.
"As a child the only material I had access to in Braille were textbooks, which aren't necessarily fun. But this has been absolutely refreshing." Banga looks forward to each month's issue, itching to read the success stories. She shares, "That's my favourite—reading about other people's journeys helps me with solutions for my own problems."
Andheri resident Muhammadashfaq Rawther testifies White Print's quality of content. He shares, "White Print has been a great platform for us, not only to read but also to visualise what we read through the mind." The 21-year-old Political Science major loves to keep himself abreast with the latest in his domain through the political write-ups in each issue.
Steadily progressing on fusing a social cause with a viable business proposition, White Print aims at increasing Braille literacy as well. Their 'B for Braille' initiative is a five-minute musical that encourages visually impaired individuals to learn Braille. It doesn't matter if you have the sight to read; it's more important to have the heart. That is, indeed, great vision!
Printed at the National Association for the Blind, Mumbai, an annual subscription costs Rs. 300. Log on to www.whiteprint.in to know more.
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