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The Night He Lost His Sight… and Found His Purpose
At just 17 years old, Laljibhai Prajapati woke up one morning to a world consumed by darkness. Glaucoma had stolen his eyesight overnight — a cruel twist that could have ended his dreams. But instead of giving up, he made a powerful choice:
“If I can’t see the world, I’ll change it.”
Learning in the Dark, Leading with Light
Born in a small village in Kachchh, Gujarat, Laljibhai’s life was steeped in struggle. Yet, he never stopped learning. He mastered Braille, pursued his Bachelor of Arts, and worked as a music teacher in a government school. His spirit refused to sit quietly in the shadows.
His blindness became his superpower — turning empathy into action, and hardship into hope. He saw vision where others saw loss — Now it’s your turn to rediscover the light within. Subscribe to Seniors Ki Saathi — your daily voice-led guide to emotional well-being and graceful living. Get mindful practices, motivational talks, peaceful reflection guides, plus daily engagement, emotional comfort, the Emotional SOS System, Brain Spark puzzles, tech & health tips, authentic expert info, and even financial guidance to ease real-life stress.
Starting Over at 56: A Home for the Forgotten
In 1997, at the age of 56, when most people retire, Laljibhai was just getting started. Shocked by how many elderly blind people were abandoned, he opened the gates of his small home to shelter them.
That humble beginning grew into Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal — a safe haven that would go on to transform hundreds of lives.
Creating a World Where No One Is Left Behind
Laljibhai didn’t stop with shelter. He dreamed bigger.
By 2003, his mission expanded into inclusive education — a place where children with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities learned side-by-side. With Braille books, audio libraries, physiotherapy, yoga, music, dance, and smart classrooms, he proved that barriers only exist if we build them.
Today, his organization runs three schools, a hostel for 360+ students, a Braille press, and even a multimedia library with over 10,000 resources — a true lighthouse of knowledge for the visually impaired.
A Life That Inspires Generations
Honored with the National Award by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Laljibhai remains grounded. Awards were never his goal — dignity for the disabled and elderly was.
A Final Word: What We See in Him
Laljibhai never saw the world with his eyes —
He saw it with his heart.
He proves that age is never the limit, nor is disability the end.
Because sometimes, those who walk in darkness… end up guiding the world toward the light.
Follow us on @ageisjustanumbertv for more radiant stories, bold second innings, and everyday proof that aging isn’t the end — it’s the most powerful beginning and you’ve still got light to share — and we’re here to help you shine.
