CMDA donates IT equipment to the blind

Ravish Khapra

Mumbai:  A delegation from Pune's Computer and Media Dealers Association
(CMDA) donated a PC, printer and UPS to the city's Blind Men's Association (PDMA)
recently. They also donated a few voice recorders to Jagruti, which is an
organization working for the empowerment of blind women.

The CMDA members present at the ceremony were Suresh Joshi, Anil Pherwani,
Vinod Pherwani, Brijen Shah, Satish Taneja, Sunil Gugale, Shital Nahar, Naresh
Lalwani, Rajesh Chowdhary, Shashikant Satbhai, Rajesh Barbhai.

Sunil Gugale, President of CMDA, said, "We have previously done charity
work. However it was limited only to donating sports equipment to various
schools. This is the first time that CMDA has donated IT equipment."

Jagruti had contacted CMDA last year and requested them to look into the IT
needs of its members. In response, CDMA donated some voice recorders. Jagruti
then approached professional voice-over artists who recorded many books for the
women.

Sakina Bedi, the caretaker of Jagruti is in constant touch with Gugale on
future projects, one of which includes CDMA undertaking the setting up of a
computer lab in the soon-to-be-constructed girls' hostel.

The PBMA, which is a self-supported organization, helps its members earn
money through various activities. "There was a need for them to be trained
in using IT equipment. This is why we donated a PC, printer, modem and
UPS," said Gugale. The members also needed to be trained in using the
equipment and hence CDMA members decided to donate some of their time for
training the PBMA members. "We feel that we owe something to the society.
Any organization is not complete unless it undertakes such activities. Specific
amount of funds will be allocated for such activities in the future," said
Gugale.

Suresh Joshi of Cache Technologies and a member on the advisory panel of CDMA,
said, "I feel great when I am a part of such a noble cause. This is not the
first time that we have undertaken such charity. Three years back we had donated
computers to a municipal school."

Joshi plans to make this a long-term project instead of just an annual
affair. Also on the cards is more interaction with similar institutes, which are
located in Pune city.