PARADIP: Though blind, 25-year-old Sabita Barik’s life is an illuminating evidence of what can be accomplished by an earnest person. A resident of Kahripadia village under Gopalpur panchayat of Tirtol block, Sabita was born blind. But with a naturally gifted mind and a courage that has never faltered through tragic discouragement, she has conquered her blindness.
She was admitted to blind schools in Kendrapara and Bhubaneswar but she left her schooling mid-way to pursue her interest music. As her father Laxmidhar Barik’s income, who works as a daily labour, was not sufficient to maintain the family of six, Sabita decided to supplement the family income through singing.
Besides learning 500 bhajans, she learnt to play musical instruments like tabla, harmonium and flute. She started performing at cultral programmes, where she would sing bhajans and play musical instruments. And for each programme, she gets Rs 200 to Rs 500. Though she has plans to set up a music school for the blind children in the area, she is unable to pursue her dream due to funds crunch. Sabita said: ‘‘I had sent memoranda to the Chief Minister, the District Collector, the BDO and other political leaders for financial assitance for the music school.’’