BANGALORE: Dr B S Venkatesh has the distinction of being the first person from the visually-challenged category to be selected for the post of a lecturer by the Karnataka State Public Service Commission. In an interview with City Express, he relates about his journey — From his school days to his current projects.
In the year 2002, he became the first visually challenged person to complete doctorate in Karnataka. His subject — ‘Regional Disparities in Karnataka.’ Among his numerous awards was the National Award in 2003 in the best employee category for the visually challenged .
He said, “Receiving the award from former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was a great moment in my life and I will cherish it all through my life.”
When All India Confederation of Blind completed their silver jubilee, his achievements and accomplishments were published and circulated in an international conference. The paper was a tall order and a stellar example for the visually-challenged people to follow in their lives.
From a lecturer in the year 1996 to a professor in 2012, he has come a long way. Today he is the Associate Professor in Maharani College, Bangalore. He said, “I teach economics to post graduate and under graduate students. I am also guiding one PhD and two MPhil students.” But that is not all. After work, he donates time to projects close to his heart. “Currently, I am working on a project given to me by the Government of Karnataka. I am also doing research on ‘Urbanisation Process in Bangalore’ from an economist’s point of view.
His vision was far-sighted. For he made some life-changing decisions even before he joined school. He said, “I deliberately did not join a school for physically challenged. I knew that once I step in such a school, I will be completely isolated. I went to VDS school in Rajarajeswari Nagar, completed graduation from KLE College in Rajarajeswari Nagar and received my post graduation from Bangalore University.”
The daily routine of Dr Ventakesh is no different from several others. Like any other professor, he wakes up early and revises his lecture notes. He is married and has two children — One daughter is studying in class 10 and one son is studying in class 3. He narrates this to make a point: Today a visually challenged person is educating ‘normal’ people. He is a living example for so many, that he is nominated for the Namma Bengaluru Award 2012.