Mangalore: Vision Beyond Sight - When Hemanth Turned Defeats into Success

Vineeth Monis
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 11: Obstacles in life are common, but the way we handle them is what makes the difference between success and failure.

A boy who lost his eyesight ten years ago has today fulfilled his long-cherished dream of going live on air on a mainstream radio channel. The journey, however, was not an easy one for 22-year-old Hemanth.

Until 7th standard, Hemanth was a student like any other, and then tragedy struck. In an unfortunate accident, he lost his eyesight completely.

Though the accident left him broken, it failed to hinder his thirst for knowledge.

Despite the tragedy he had suffered, he completed his 10th standard from a school for the visually impaired in Chickmagalur and Mysore, and did his  PUC through correspondence from Maharaja College, Mysore.

The untimely demise of his mother at thier residence in Hassan caused the family further emotional pain and agony. In the year 2007, Hemanth left home for Bangalore where he attended a computer course. On completion of his course he shifted base to Puttur through some people's help.

Despite his visual impairment, Hemanth is highly self-reliant and resides in a room on his own, and also works part time. He likes to live his life in solitude and enjoys his own company. He is also pursuing his undergraduate degree at Vivekananda College in Puttur.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Hemanth said he always desired to be an RJ and also wanted to become a journalist. A friend of his helped him realize his dream and referred his to Mangalore Big FM. There, RJ Errol and RJ Vishwas, along with station head Wasim and marketing manager Alston took keen interest in Hemanth and recommended him to the Radio Saarang team at St Aloysius College and to its director Fr Swebert D’Silva.

Impressed by his sincere desire in achieving his goal, Fr Swebert gave him a launching pad as an intern. Hemanth completed his internship for a month, where he mastered the skills required of an RJ. He was trained by experts at Radio Sarang vocally and technically.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Kiran from Radio Saarang described Hemanth as a fast learner.

Armed with all that he had learnt during the training, Hemanth has also launched his own CD wherein he has interviewed three persons on the aspects of personality development and other general issues.

Hemanth wanted to release his CD on the 150th birthday of the nation's youth icon, Swami Vivekananda, from whom he has drawn inspiration. His wish came true with the support of Big FM team and the CD was released at a programme where he was interviewed by RJ Errol. The interview was broadcast live on the radio channel on Friday January 11. His debut was an indication of his inborn talent as an RJ, as he spoke fluently and narrated his experiences candidly.

That's not all. The Big FM team gave him a bigger suprise - the team introduced him to Dr Krishnaprasad from Prasad Nethralaya, who assured to help him regain his eyesight.

Dr Krishnaprasad said that the surgery, which otherwise costs Rs 1 lac, will be done for free. "The operation will take around 3 or 4 sessions and we hope Hemanth will regain his vision," he said.

Journalists of other media were also present during Hemanth’s interview with Big FM, and also promised to help him to achieve his next dream of getting into journalism. Hemanth also plans to pursue his post graduation in journalism.

"Take defeats in your stride with a smile and surge ahead with determination" is the advice Hemanth has for everyone.