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Employment > Awards > N.C.P.E.D.P. - Shell Helen Keller Awards 2004

Jyotindra V. Mehta: Inspiring others

Born in 1948, Jyotindra Mehta's congenital visual impairment was a big shock to his parents. However, they quickly realised that Jyotindra was a bright child, and despite difficulties, he completed his Masters degree in Economics in 1975. Simultaneously, he also learnt Braille and acquired independent living skills.

The real turning point in Jyotindra's life came in 1978 when he emigrated to the US. His readiness to take up any challenge, coupled with the availability of modern technological aids, bore positive results. He completed a software-programming course for physically disabled people and started working as a programmer. He went on to obtain a diploma in Computer Programming from John Hopkins University, as well as an M.S. in Information Technology from George Washington University in 1991.

Despite his success, Jyotindra did not feel at home in the US and dreamed of sharing his self-confidence with physically disabled people in his homeland. Therefore, in 1997, he decided to return to India, where he accepted an Advisory Systems Consultant position with I.B.M. Global Services India in Bangalore.

“India's only blind software programmer,” reported The Times of India. Well, Jyotindra has done more than just programming; he has conducted training classes and managed a S/390 mainframe. He was also instrumental in setting up a computer programming training module, the first of its kind in South India, at the National Association for the Blind (N.A.B.), Karnataka Branch.

Jyotindra's philosophy is that, “Disability is not a curse, but a challenge. And no challenge is insurmountable.” He also says, “IBM hasn't employed me because of my disability. The bottom line here is profit, and no boss can discriminate against you if you are producing results.”

Travelling widely without any assistance, he maintains that what is required, is change in the external environment. “I hope I am able to inspire others,” he says. “What we require is not sympathy, but opportunities.”

Advisory Systems Consultant,
IBM Global Services India.
G-903, Maestro's, Salunki Vihar Road,
Pune 411040.
Phone: 91-20-26852767
E-mail: jmehta@in.ibm.com

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