Ranchi: They may be visually impaired but are all set to guide people from across India and provide them technical expertise on problems related to their sim cards and post-paid phone connections.
Meet students of Braj Kishore Netraheen Vidyalaya, a Ranchi-based non-profit school for visually impaired girls, who are set to create history by becoming the first batch of visually challenged students in eastern India and only the second in India after Pune, to be employed by a mobile operator company to run their call centre.
These 14 girls in the age group of 15 to 19 years are currently undergoing training on how to converse with different types of customers, find solutions to their problems and deal with difficult situations on calls, The Hindustan Times reported.
The mobile operator company had sent the girls and their teachers to Pune for the initial training. Back to their school, these girls are spending hours practicing by making live as well as mock calls with fluency and aplomb.
Defying all odds with zeal, these girls are showing exemplary commitment and professionalism in taking up the new challenge that will help them earn a livelihood with grace and respect.
Their computers have text-to-speech software which helps them operate with ease.
Dressed in her school uniform — a navy blue and white salwaar suit — and sitting in front of her computer, tenth grader Sunita Kumari made her first live call for the day. “Hello sir, this is Sunita. May I know your full name please? I would like to inform you about three offers on your number. Can I speak to you for a few minutes?” she said effortlessly and when the customer refused to talk, she politely thanked him for his time and wished him a good day.
Founder trustee of the school Neelu Verma says the idea came to her after coming across the model of Pune-based Technical Training Institute where visually impaired students are provided technical training to run call centers. “The training helped them evolve into successful professionals and rub shoulders with their normal counterparts in earning a decent living,” she said, adding that the call centre will become operational in the school from August.
One of their trainers and in-charge of the call center, Sanjay Kumar Sinha said, “All these girls need is an opportunity and they can prove their mettle in any field.” These students, he said, are very laborious. While practicing with dedication, they also ensure they do not miss their academics and attend classes regularly,” he said.
The school authority said they will earn a monthly remuneration ranging between Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000, which would certainly be a good beginning.
Vandana Mandi, 19, a trainee, said, “The opportunity has come to us at the right time as it will help us earn money while we continue our studies. The experience we gain now will help us immensely in our career.” She said each of them wish to become financially independent.
Sunita, who is blind since birth, said her aim is to find her niche in the telemarketing field. “I want to perform well in this maiden job assignment and also encourage juniors to hone the skill,” said Sunita, whose father is a farmer and mother is a home maker.