You will be missed, Mittal ji – Blind Relief Association

Mr. Ajay Kumar Mittal, a well-known educationist, and crusader for equality in the field of visual impairment passed away on 22 September 2020.

With over 45 years of experience in the field of disability – rehabilitation and in visual impairment, in particular, Mr. Mittal was a significant person in the field of education for the visually impaired. He was an active and vibrant person all through his life, a stalwart in the field, respected and sought out globally for his insight and wide knowledge. He was also one of the most outstanding promoters of Braille and Training of Special Educators. Being the perfectionist he was, Mr. Mittal’s accuracy and acumen have left us in awe on numerous occasions.

Certainly, many have been blessed by his tremendous contribution to the field of education. The Blind Relief Association also had the honor and privilege of having Mr. Mittal’s leadership and guidance for many years by his service as the Principal of JPM Senior Secondary School in his early years of career, and as the Managing Committee Member of the Association in the recent years.

Mittal ji was a great lover of sports and took special interest in the promotion of sports among the visually impaired. He was one of the founders of Indian Blind Sports Association and played a key role in building up the Association to ably work and deserve status of a national level sports body to promote sports among the blind and represent India in International Blind Sports Federation.

He was actively involved in planning and organizing the first National Sports Meet for the hosted by the Blind Relief Association, Delhi in 1982 and subsequently, after the formation of IBSA in 1986 in organizing IBSA National Sports Meets for the Blind being regularly held since then on. In 1998 he led the Indian contingent to the First World Championships and Games for the Blind held in Madrid, Spain under the aegis of International Blind Sports Federation.

Having served as Vice Chairman and in other capacities in the Executive Committee he made a very major contribution to the promotion of sports among the Blind in the country.

His demise is an irreparable loss to the entire family of visually challenged people nationally and internationally, to the field of education, and immensely to us at the Blind Relief Association.

We are forever indebted to you, dear Mittal Ji.
Your perseverance and excellence will always be remembered.