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explain what is red and what is white. But I
can tell you that in this world there are many
colours, which can be seen and differentiated
only through the eyes and not by touch.
I am sorry.’

After that incident, Akshata told me, ‘Amma,
never talk about colours when you talk to blind
people. They feel frustrated. I felt so helpless
when I was trying to explain to Mary. Now I
always describe the world to them by
describing smells and sounds which they

understand easily.’

Akshata also used to help a bright blind boy
called Anand Sharma at this school. He was the
only child of a school teacher from Bihar. He
was bright and jolly. He was about to appear for
his second pre-university exam.
2

One day, I was heading for an examination committee meeting. At that time, I was
head of the Department of Computer Science at a local college. It was almost the end of
February. Winter was slowly ending and there was a trace of summer setting in. Bangalore
is blessed with beautiful weather. The many trees lining the roads were flowering and the
city was swathed in different shades of violet, yellow and red.

I was busy getting ready to attend the meeting, hence I was collecting old syllabi, question
papers and reference books. Akshata came upstairs to my room. She looked worried and

tired. She was studying in class ten. I thought she was tired preparing for her exams. As a
mother, I have never insisted they study too much. My parents never did that. They always
believed the child has to be responsible. A responsible child will sit down to study on
her own.

I told Akshata, ‘Don’t worry about the exams. Trying is in your hands. The results are not
with you.’

She was annoyed and irritated by my advice. ‘Amma, I didn’t talk about any examination.

Why are you reminding me of that?’

I was surprised at her irritation. But I was also busy gathering old question papers so did
not say anything. Absently, I looked at her face. Was there a trace of sadness on it? Or was
it my imagination?
swathed: covered
absently: without paying
2 The two years between passing one’s tenth grade exam and before joining a attention
university

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