Santosh Nageshkar, CHILDLINE Contact Officer
at CHILDLINE Contact Centre (CCC) is visually impaired yet he still manages to
live life to its fullest. Not only he works at CHILDLINE Contact Officer but
also he is an athlete.
Santosh Nageshkar is hardworking who has a lot of
ability for a guy with a disability. Despite his inability to see, he attends
incoming 1098 calls at CHILDLINE Contact Centre and makes outgoing calls to
CHILDLINE Intervention Units (IUs), whenever intervention is required at the
CCC. He enjoys playing football and is an ardent fan of Diego
Armando Maradona.
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Santosh Nageshkar (extreme right in front row) in full power at
the state level foot ball
tournament of Indian Blind Association in New Delhi
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Santosh
was blind since his birth. As a child, his blindness did not stop from
developing a passion for sports. He finds that playing football has helped to
look at the positive things, improved his understanding and awareness of
surroundings. As a child, his blindness did not stop from developing a passion
for sports, he finds that playing football has helped to look at the positive
things improved his awareness of surroundings.
A truly
dedicated member of the Blind Social Welfare Club, Goa, Santosh loves this
breathtaking sport and talks about it all the time. He states, "Indeed
playing football has helped with my confidence and improved my communication
because I'm part of a team."
Santosh’s
first challenge after joining the foot ball club was navigating the obstacles
in the football matches to reach district and state level. For the last three
years Santosh has played in several foot ball matches in the state level
representing Blind Social Welfare Club, Goa. More recently at the State level
football tournament organised by Indian Blind Association in New Delhi,
Santosh played well at the tournament representing his club. He hopes to
represent at National level competition and happy to have learnt to play the
game.
“In
blind and visually impaired football specially designed audible footballs are
used which rattle due to ball bearings contained inside. Teams are 5-a-side
and, as the level of visual impairment can vary among players, blindfolds are
worn by everyone except the goalkeeper who is sighted. Behind the goals sighted
guides also stand and make noise to help direct players,” explains Santosh.
"I love working at CCC and grateful for CIFs support
throughout these years,” states
Santosh. The story of Santosh is inspiring and truly shows what people with
disabilities are capable of doing if they are provided with right guidance and
support.
