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Braille books insufficient

MATHEWS CHIRAN
Like most of the girls of her age, 25-year-old Ripa Tabassum loves poetry, romance novels and at times horrors.
For her, the joy of reading is woven into every aspect of her life. Not a day goes by she does not dream of partaking in a literary journey.
But the journey is not an easy one as she is visually impaired. For visually impaired people, there are not many books available in Braille.
To help the visually impaired take delight in reading, "Sporsho Braille Prokashona" has brought out 14 books in Braille at the Amar Ekushey Granthamela this year.
Sporsho has been publishing books in
Braille since 2009. Since its invention in 1824, Braille, a tactile writing system for the visually impaired, has been a gift to millions.
"I first came to the book fair in 2008 along with my friends. Every one was buying and reading books except me," said Ripa. "I stopped coming to the book fair afterwards. However, in 2013, my friends forcibly took me to the fair again. They took me to a stall named 'Sporsho'. I met its founder Nazia Jabeen there." Nazia gave her a Braille book to read. Ripa started reading it right away. "I surprised Nazia apu with my reading speed...," said a smiling Ripa in front of "Sporsho" at Bangla Academy yesterday.
Ripa said she became a member of "Sporsho" instantly.
"Sporsho" has been providing the visually impaired with books free of cost since 2011 at the book fair.
"So far, we have published Braille version of 61 books," said its founder Nazia. "But it is not enough."
"The visually impaired has the same rights... If Bangla Academy publishes books in Braille for them as well as compel big publishers to do the same, they [visually
impaired] can also enjoy reading more books," she said.
The demand for Braille books are increasing. "We publish the books with support of various quarters. Sometimes, famous writers also publish their books in Braille with their own finance," she added.
Visually impaired Shahinul Haque Joy, a former student of Dhaka University, said, "I love to read. I wish there were more Braille books and publishers available."
While talking to many publishers, they said they are not that familiar with Braille books. If there was an awareness campaign, they would also take steps in this regard.
"There is a lack of campaign regarding the publication of books in Braille at the book fair. Initiatives have to be taken to make people aware of the necessity of publishing such books," said Farid Ahmed of "Somoy Prokashon".
Contacted, Jalal Ahmed, director of Bangla Academy, said, “Of course, we will help if Shorpho or the ministry concerned takes steps to publish books in Braille and run a campaign during the book fair."
The 14 books, which have been transcribed into Braille this year, include “Akhi Ebong Amra Kojona" by Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, “Maa" by Anisul Hoque and "Haser Paye Ghuri" by Nazia Jabeen.