Rahmania Higher Secondary School For Handicapped, Kozhikode has launched an initiative Saha Now to provide employment opportunities for hearing and speech impaired students. The programme that was launched with the support of the IT firm Invigo Softwares Pvt Ltd (Vizru) also aims to train them with multi-skills that can enhance their career possibilities.

Over a course of two years, a pool of resource persons from the IT firm will provide training and support to 25 students of classes XI and XII. The focus will be on capacity building, decision making, analytical, technical and problem-solving skills of the students. They will be given activities connected to developing software, animation, web designing and other minor projects related to their curriculum, apart from field visits.

“Even though a majority of the students here are academically excellent, many of them find it to find a job after their higher secondary or degree courses, owing to their condition, “ says Principal Ashick KP, the school's principal, adding “ Hence, even if they complete an engineering or commerce degree, they are forced to settle for small businesses or odd jobs." He also said that, through Saha Now, the school aims to provide the students the right kind of training and coaching required to mould them according to the needs of various industries.

According to authorities at Vizru, the initiative is expected to open up a range of career opportunities for students including coding, designing, system administration and User interface designing .“ The venture, which is being carried out as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility work, is also expected to boost the entrepreneurial skills of students, “ said an officer working with VIZRU.

The official inauguration and logo launch of Saha Now was held at Rahmaniya VHSS for handicapped, on July 21.