Mysuru: The reservations provided in the Constitution for visually challenged persons unfortunately is not being implemented by many institutions under the government, regretted University of Mysore former Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.N. Hegde.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Audio Books and one-day workshop on Online Library for Visually Challenged Students organised by University with Potential for Excellence’s Drushti-Centre for Education of Visually Challenged, at Vignan Bhavan auditorium, here yesterday and said that there is a rule for 3 per cent reservation in jobs for visually challenged. However, it is sad to note that none of the institutions under the government are following this rule.

The society should view both people with eye sight and those without eyes in the same lens. They should not look at the visually challenged with sympathetic eyes but treat them on an equal level. They should be provided with jobs in all the major posts, he said.

In the epic Mahabharata the visually challenged Dhritharashtra was made the king. If this was possible during those days itself why they should not be provided with opportunities now, questioned Prof. Hegde.

Chennai’s Bookshare India, Outreach and Training Consultant G. Kumaresan delivered a special lecture on online library facilities for visually challenged.

In all, 2,410 audio books and 950 Braille script books prepared by a team headed by Shivaji Ganeshan, Senior Journalist and Coordinator, Community Radio, Tumkur, as per the syllabus of the University of Mysore, were released on the occasion. These books which are available in Manasagangothri library can be utilised by the visually challenged.

Drushti ICSSR Senior Professor Fellow Prof. N. Usha Rani, Drushti Coordinator and Department of Political Science Chairman Dr. Krishna Hombal and others were present on the occasion.