VISION WITHOUT EYES - Blind Home Ferozepur nurtures visually impaired youths
Digital empowerment fuels visually impaired youth to fulfil Civil Services dream
Ferozepur, December 234 2025: In the heart of Punjab, a story of grit and digital empowerment is unfolding. Zahoor Ahmed, a 27-year-old native of Gursai village in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch district, who has been residing at the Blind Home in Ferozepur since 2019, is redefining what it means to live with vision loss. Despite transitioning from partial to 100% blindness at the age of four, as told to him by his parents, Zahoor has refused to let the shadows dim his ambition.
Zahoor’s parents, younger brother, and three sisters are all sighted. His father, who earlier worked in Saudi Arabia, now stays at home. His younger brother is currently studying in Plus Two, while all three sisters are married.
He expresses deep gratitude for the free lodging and boarding facilities, where he spends his days honing his skills through mobile-based learning while preparing for Central Government competitive examinations. Notably, over the past three years, nearly 30 residents of the Blind Home have secured government jobs under the reserved quota. At present, about 15 visually impaired students are pursuing higher education, nurturing hopes of employment, a dignified livelihood, and the ability to support their families.
Currently a student of MA-II Political Science, Zahoor’s journey is one of remarkable academic persistence. After completing his schooling through the J&K Government School and CBSE Delhi, he moved to Ferozepur in 2019. He graduated from a local college and is now preparing for the second part of his Master’s degree (2025-26) through open learning on his mobile by listening to the Current Affairs App.
However, his achievements are not confined to textbooks. Zahoor is a formidable athlete, representing Jammu & Kashmir in National Judo from 2019 to 2024. His skill extends to the cricket pitch as well, where he has represented his home state at the national level. Most recently, in April, he played a pivotal role in the J&K team’s victory during a tournament held across Chandigarh and Ludhiana.
While Zahoor does not use Braille, he has mastered the "digital eye." He credits his progress to the internet, smartphones, and social media platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp.
"The digital world has played a vital role in uplifting the visually impaired community," Zahoor says. "For those of us deprived of sight, the digital world provides 'ears' to see the world, keep us updated on global affairs, and allow us to continue our education and practice."
Zahoor’s message to his peers and the wider world is clear and unwavering. To the visually impaired community, he urges: "Work hard, choose a specific field, and move relentlessly in that direction." To society at large, he asks for a shift in perspective: "Treat the blind with the care and support needed to uplift them, ensuring they can stand at par with sighted people."
As he prepares for his future in the civil services and continues his athletic endeavours, Zahoor Ahmed stands as a testament to the fact that while sight can be lost, vision is a matter of the soul.