How A Blind Man is Helping Rebuild Kerala

Akashkumar KS is now working to repair homes damaged during the Kerala floods.

At that time, I had volunteered at the Tsunami rehabilitation programme district hospital in Kollam. It was a 10-day camp.

(Photo Courtesy: Aroop Mishra/The Quint)

Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Cameraperson: Syed Shiyaz Mirza
Research and coordination: Sahasranshu Mahapatra
Producer: Namita Handa Jolly

Akashkumar KS met with a road accident on January 2005. He was married for 33 days when he was heading to the bus stop to pick up his wife. While crossing, a private bus came from the opposite side and hit him.

“At that time, I had volunteered at the Tsunami rehabilitation programme district hospital in Kollam. It was a 10-day camp,” says Akashkumar.

In the accident Akashkumar lost his vision. He now suffers from optic atrophy.

But blindness has not dented his spirit.

Today, he works as a Programme Officer with the NSS (National Service Scheme) and is now working to repair homes damaged during the Kerala floods.

The panchayat allotted 260 houses for reinstatement and repair works to our team. In the last two days, we completed around 50-60 homes. We completely reinstated all the electric work, plumbing and other sanitation works.

Akashkumar KS

He was at Kollam when when the severe floods affected the state. “Kollam was not affected much but when I went to Chengannur that’s when I understood the damage.”

Akashkumar was devastated to see the lack of basic necessities like food, water, shelter and clothing.

He now plans to adopt a village at Chengannur. “I want to conduct first-aid programmes and other things that is essentially required for the common people.”

But Akashkumar does admit that partial blindness has affected his life to some extend.

Blindness has completely affected my life. But I’ve succeeded both in my service and in my studies. I’m interested in social activities and I’ll continue in all those things.     

Akashkumar KS