By Erik Jager
After my impressive journey through the Himalayas, which I described in my previous blog post, a new and equally moving chapter of my journey in India now begins. Here I will share the deep and heartwarming experiences at the N.E.L.C. Blind School in Coochbehar, a visit that left a lasting impression on me.
Coochbehar - A Heartwarming Visit
The morning in Darjeeling started unexpectedly with a knock on the door and an offer of milk tea, a sweet start to the day. Our breakfast was late due to the closed kitchen, but we were soon surprised with fast and attentive service.
Our journey to Coochbehar, where Raj's school for blind children is located, would take a total of 7 hours. Before we left, we took part in a 'Joyride' with an 1880 steam locomotive, a heritage of the British colonial period. After a short drive we were picked up by our taxi, which would take us to Siliguri.
The journey was a contrast to the mountain roads; faster, but full of surprises such as cows on the highway and rickshaws traveling at dangerously low speeds. The chaos on the road was impressive, but according to Raj there are surprisingly few accidents.
We broke for lunch at an inviting restaurant, finally reaching Coochbehar just before dark. There we immediately visited the school for the blind, where Raj lives with his family. The story of Raj's father, who founded the school and made a big difference despite his own blindness, touched me deeply.
After our city tour in Coochbehar, we returned to the blind school just in time for the children's dinner. Normally there are 85 children, but due to the recent holiday only 45 were present. This school is a haven for blind children, where everything is taken care of for them: from clothing and food to shelter and travel expenses.
The moment the children prayed before dinner and then began their meal was moving. Raj told me about the mission his father had started and was now continuing. This school was not only a place for education, but also a home and a family for these children.
The stories of former students who now had successful jobs at Air India or in banking, asking Raj's permission for their marriage, showed the deep impact of this school. It was clear how much Raj cared for these children and how committed he was to continuing his father's life's work.
Seeing the children, some without parents and dependent on adults, touched me deeply. They lived together in dormitories and were at the institute most of the year. My heart wanted to do something to improve their situation, to make a difference in their lives.
That evening, when Raj asked me if I wanted something to drink, I realized how full my head was of all these impressions. The day in Coochbehar, especially the time at the school for the blind, had left a deep impression on me. I tried to prepare myself for a quiet night, even though I knew the thoughts of these children would stay with me.
N.E.L.C. School for the Blind - A Day of Deep Meaning
A new day dawns with the promise of special experiences. Today is all about the N.E.L.C. Blind school. As I walk to Raj's house I am greeted by the everyday scene of the 'fish man' delivering and cleaning fresh fish - a fascinating start to the day.
Breakfast at Raj's house is a family affair. His family, including his mother, brother and their families, live together with a shared kitchen, but each has their own living space. Raj's mother, from South India, shares her stories with a mixture of pride and sadness. She misses her late husband every day and looks back on a life full of shared challenges and victories. Their combined efforts have kept the school for the blind running for fifty years.
In Raj's father's room, which remains unchanged, I see his photo and feel the legacy of a man who, despite the challenges of blindness, lived a full and meaningful life. Raj speaks with admiration about his father, a talented musician who found his way despite his disability.
After breakfast we visit the local market, where I immerse myself in the daily life of Coochbehar. But the real impact of the day comes as soon as we enter the school for the blind. There I am greeted with a song by the students that touches me deeply, a moment that feels like a serenade from an 'angel choir'.
During the tour of the school I see the different classes, from group 8 to group 1, each busy with their own learning activities. Arithmetic, writing, language, reading - the teacher explains how to do sums and how the alphabet works. It's impressive how these children adapt and learn, even in a world that seems so foreign to them.
The twin sisters Esha and Disha, who are new to the school, especially leave a deep impression. They are both 7 years old and have been here since January this year. They are just starting the long road of education that requires much more time, effort and patience than regular education. Their mother lives 700 km away and their father is no longer there – he is a drug addict and no longer involved in the girls' lives. Every holiday they go to their mother, which means they go home 3 times a year, but the rest of the year they are here at school. Their hair is shaved by the mother, often for practical reasons.
Yesterday I had already met Esha and Disha. Their story and the fact that they have just started their life path without a father in their lives, moved me to become their 'guardian', to walk with them on the road they still have to go. The girls' story, combined with my own experiences today, make me realize that I could probably write a book about everything I saw, felt and experienced here. Never before had I come into contact with a blind child and it is both confusing and moving to see how they move in a world like ours. I don't fully understand it yet, but the fact is that they are here, at the age of 7, and that they, just like you and me, want to live a good, beautiful, healthy and happy life. They are just as unique and special as we all are. And that is why I would like to contribute to the lives of Esha and Disha.
With all these impressions of the day it is now time to head to Siliguri, from where we will fly back to Delhi. Read more about my experiences in (New) Delhi here.
