White Cane Safety Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and their rights to independence and mobility. Dr. Kiran Kumari, a visually impaired Assistant Professor at Punjabi University, exemplifies the resilience and determination that White Cane Safety Day represents. After losing her eyesight due to meningitis, Dr. Kiran mastered Braille and various independent living skills, which enabled her to continue her education and career. As the “First Visually Impaired Female with a Ph.D. in Sociology in Punjab” and a recipient of multiple awards, Dr. Kiran’s journey reflects the empowerment and achievements that White Cane Safety Day aims to highlight.
This article is dedicated to Smt. Alka Puri, wife of Dr. Ajit S. Puri and mother of Journalist Jaswant Singh Puri.