Navigating with an in-sight

CHENNAI: How to merge skill and cooperation was on display at the Annual Car Rally for the Blind, flagged off by actor Karthi on Sunday. Held in association with the O2 Health Studio, the National Association for the Blind and the Madras Motorsports Club, the rally was held in a time-stage format. The navigators had to read out the instructions written in Braille, and the drivers wilfully followed. Speaking at the event Ravi Krishnan, Chief Steward, said the FMSCI-approved rally saw the participation of more than 75 persons of all age groups in its 24th year of running. Its main aim is to instill a sense of confidence among the visually challenged, said Nina Reddy,  who has organised and participated for the last 3 years.While the cars and the drivers are brought by the participants, the navigators are selected by the National association for the blind. “Every year we screen the participants for their ability to read Braille,” said Prema  Venkateswaran, Secretary for the NAB, Chennai chapter. Deepthi B, a member of the NAB who helped create Braille directions said, “All the participants who were selected found this event challenging and exciting.” Echoing her sentiments was P Kannan, a Tamil teacher who had been participating in the event for the last 10 years and had won second prize last year. “Participating in the event has me feel confident and good,” he said as his car left the arena. The route chart comprised details of both speed and distance that the driver had to maintain and cover. Marshalls along the route would enter the time of each participant and the team who covered the distance in the specified time would be declared victorious. This creates the need for all the participants of a team to contribute to the exercise. This year, the Chennai Traffic Police, a day before the event, changed the course slightly. At the point of change, Amit said that a circular was issued to the participants as to where they could join the event once more. He said that the course would wind along the southern parts of the city including ECR and end back at the hotel.