Prime Highlight
- Uttar Pradesh has inaugurated its first Braille library at DSMNRU, Lucknow, to strengthen inclusive learning for visually impaired persons.
- The initiative supports the state government’s vision of “education for all” by promoting independence and equal access to education.
Key Facts
- The library contains over 4,000 Braille books covering 54 UG and PG courses, printed by the university’s own Braille press.
- Located in the Swami Vivekananda Central Library, it offers seating for 150+ readers and access to both students and the wider community.
Background
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the state’s first Braille library dedicated to the education of visually impaired persons. The facility has opened at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) in Lucknow and aims to strengthen inclusive learning across the state.
Located on the first floor of the Swami Vivekananda Central Library on the university campus, the Braille library was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh. During the ceremony, he paid floral tribute to Louis Braille, the creator of the Braille script, on his birth anniversary.
Addressing students and faculty, Singh said the library would help visually impaired learners become more self-reliant and confident. He also directed the university administration to ensure modern computer training so that students can stay connected to mainstream education and the job market.
The new facility houses more than 4,000 Braille books printed by the university’s own Braille press. The collection follows the National Education Policy and covers 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The range includes academic and reference material that students often struggle to access in accessible formats.
The library also features a large reading room with seating for over 150 students at a time. University officials said that the space is designed to provide a comfortable and quiet learning environment for visually impaired readers.
The facility is not limited to DSMNRU students alone. Visually impaired persons from outside the university can also become members through casual or corporate memberships, making it a shared resource for the wider community.
Officials said the library supports Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of “education for all” and marks a key step towards removing barriers faced by students with disabilities.
With this initiative, Uttar Pradesh is helping visually impaired students get the tools they need to study independently and with dignity, and is making education more equal for everyone.
