Hyundai India Insurance distributes 150 Smart Canes to visually impaired persons in Jammu; MLA Sham Lal Sharma announces ₹10 Lakh grant From CDF for School Development

JAMMU: In a major boost to accessible mobility in the region, Hyundai India Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd., under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for the financial year 2025–2026, distributed Saarthi Smart Canes and smart mobility devices to 150 visually impaired individuals from Jammu & Kashmir today. The mega distribution drive took place at the Louis Braille Memorial Residential School for Sightless Girls at Roop Nagar, Jammu (Ward 62), and was organized in close collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), J&K.

The advanced assistive devices distributed at the venue, valued at a total cost of ₹6,00,000, have been developed by the Ahmedabad-based Torchit Foundation, the technical partner for this initiative, with the core objective of enhancing independent mobility, restoring confidence, and fostering greater social inclusion for visually impaired individuals across the Union Territory.

The program was graced by Chief Guest Sham Lal Sharma, MLA Jammu North constituency, who highly commended Hyundai India Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. and the Torchit Foundation for bringing life-altering technology to the region. Addressing the gathering, Sh. Sharma emphasized that true societal progress is measured by how effectively a community integrates and supports its differently-abled citizens, noting that assistive devices like the Saarthi cane are pivotal in bridging the gap toward complete self-reliance.

He highlighted that fostering independence among the visually impaired is a fundamental step toward safeguarding their right to a dignified and equitable life, while praising the National Federation of the Blind and the school faculty for their tireless grassroots work. He assured the management that continuous efforts are being made at the administrative level to upgrade public infrastructure and social welfare schemes to ensure better accessibility across the Union Territory. Interacting warmly with the beneficiaries, the MLA noted that the enthusiasm and resilience of the young girls and students present were deeply inspiring, and he urged other corporate houses and non-governmental organizations to draw inspiration from this large-scale initiative by increasing corporate investment in technology-driven welfare projects across both rural and urban areas of Jammu & Kashmir. In a major announcement toward the conclusion of his address that drew immense appreciation, Sh. Sharma officially committed an amount of ₹10 Lakh from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) dedicated strictly to the ongoing development works and infrastructural upgrades of the Louis Braille Memorial Residential School.

Earlier, welcoming the initiative, Mr. M.K. Badyal, General Secretary of the NFB J&K, noted that this is the first time smart mobility devices are being distributed on such a large scale in Jammu & Kashmir, marking a historic milestone for the region. To ensure the technology translates into immediate real-world utility, Mr. Dinesh Bahl from Torchit Foundation led a comprehensive, hands-on training session following the addresses, which thoroughly trained the beneficiaries on how to seamlessly integrate the smart canes into their daily routines to maximize safety and independent navigation.

The grand program concluded successfully with a vote of thanks, witnessing a strong show of solidarity and participation from prominent local leaders, corporate heads, and administrative representatives who supported the execution of the drive, including Principal Mrs. Nivedita Shukla of the host institution; Mr. M.K. Badyal, General Secretary of the National Federation of the Blind, J&K; Mr. Amit Aboti, Zonal Relationship Manager (North, Gurgaon), Hyundai India; Mr. Bilal, Relationship Manager (J&K), Hyundai India Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Dinesh Bahl, Head of Partnerships at Torchit Foundation; Mrs. Rekha Manhas, Former Corporator, Ward 62; Mr. Kapil Chib, Former Corporator, Ward 64; Mr. Kuldeep Singh, Former Corporator, Ward 63; Mr. Pankaj Padha, Mandal Pradhan (Muthi-Paloura); and Mr. Suresh Khajuria, Upadhyaksh, Zila Jammu North.