Editor’s Note: This is the English excerpt of our latest episode from the Help the Blind Foundation Podcast, featuring Mohit Dudurkar, a visually impaired law student from Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur. In this heartwarming episode filled with stories of grit, commitment, and community support, Mohit Dudurkar joins us to share his journey from childhood to becoming a law student and an aspiring social entrepreneur.
The original episode moves seamlessly between English and Hindi — we highly recommend listening to it if you understand Hindi, as it adds an extra layer of authenticity and warmth to Mohit’s storytelling.
Please note that the transcription has been lightly edited for readability and flow, while retaining the tone, personality, and spirit of the original conversation.
Transcription:
Host (Uma Shankar):Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Help the Blind Foundation Podcast. Today, we have with us Mohit Dudurkar, a law student from Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur. We’ll be talking about his journey from childhood to law school, and exploring his thoughts on digital accessibility and assistive technology. Welcome to the podcast, Mohit.
Mohit: Thank you, sir, for inviting me to the HTBF Podcast.
Mohit: Sure. My name is Mohit Dudurkar, and I was born and brought up in Nagpur, one of the major cities in Maharashtra. I was born with congenital cataract, but till my 4th grade, I had decent vision — I could read, write, cycle, and play with friends. I studied in a regular school with sighted students.
After 5th grade, my vision started deteriorating due to the side effects of a medicine. Until then, I was considered a bright student — teachers and parents always told me that. I focused completely on academics, ignoring other interests like sports or music. Looking back, maybe that was a mistake, but I always felt my path lay in academics.
Host:Right. So, when you started losing vision gradually, how was that experience? You didn’t know about schools for visually impaired children then — how did you handle that transition?
Mohit: Yes, it was quite challenging. Even though I couldn’t see clearly, I had confidence that I could do anything. My handwriting used to be excellent — I even won handwriting competitions. But as my vision worsened, I began to write without being able to see the lines or the words. Teachers couldn’t understand my papers. Eventually, they stopped checking them altogether.
My principal even told my parents that I wouldn’t be able to continue after 8th grade and suggested sending me to a blind school. My parents were anxious — they didn’t want to disrupt my environment. Thankfully, the school’s director was understanding and allowed me to stay until 10th grade.
During this time, I began to understand the concept of rights and fairness. When the school asked my parents to withdraw my admission themselves — so they wouldn’t have to take responsibility — it made me question how such decisions could be justified. That’s when I first developed an interest in law.
In 10th grade, they refused to provide a writer for my exams, saying I’d have to arrange one myself. My father contacted the Composite Regional Centre, and after their social worker intervened, the school’s attitude changed completely — they started offering full support.
Host:That’s quite a story, Mohit. I can see how those experiences shaped your interest in law. But tell me — what really motivated you to choose law as a career?
Mohit: That experience was the starting point. When the school tried to remove me, I began questioning — how can someone do this? Don’t students have rights? That’s where it started. Later, when I scored 94.6% in my 10th board exams, everyone around me was choosing science. My parents also wanted that, but I wasn’t sure. NEET or engineering weren’t options I was interested in.
So, I explored commerce. I downloaded the entire 11th and 12th commerce syllabus from the Maharashtra board’s Balbharti website and finished reading it in four months — but then I got bored and moved to humanities.
Around that time, I read about Pranjal Patil — India’s first blind IAS officer — and became inspired by her story. That’s when I started preparing for the UPSC. I developed a strong interest in subjects like history, geography, political science, and economics. My plan was to complete my degree and then attempt the UPSC.
However, I realized that if I didn’t clear UPSC, my options after a regular BA would be limited. That’s when I decided to pursue law — it combined my interest in rights and justice with a solid professional path.
Host:You’re in your second year now, right? How’s law school been so far?
Mohit: It’s been great. Honestly, I’d recommend law to anyone who’s confused after 12th grade. It’s a logical, knowledge-driven, and practical field that builds common sense and awareness about rights. Everyone should learn law to some extent.
Host:That’s a good point. So how did your association with Help the Blind Foundation begin?
Mohit: I appeared for CLAT in December 2023 and got admission at NLU Nagpur in the first round. My parents preferred that I study close to home. But when we saw the fees — around 3.65 lakhs per year — it seemed impossible. I started looking for scholarships online and came across the Help the Blind Foundation website.
I emailed them even though the application window was closed. They asked me to write about my situation and send it to their official email. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything. But one morning, I got a call from Radhakrishnan sir. Initially, I thought it was another marketing call from a private university and replied quite coldly. He immediately said, “How can you talk like that? We’re calling to help you!”
I felt so embarrassed! (laughs) But thankfully, things worked out — HTBF supported my scholarship, and since then, I’ve stayed connected with the foundation.
Host:That’s wonderful. I also read on your LinkedIn that you’ve tried Smart Vision Glasses. How was that experience?
Mohit: I’d say there’s a lot of potential. Indian companies are doing great work in assistive tech, but there’s still room for improvement. These innovations are promising, though.
Host:Absolutely. And last time we spoke, you mentioned a personal passion project you’re working on. Tell us about that.
Mohit: Yes! It started with a conversation with my friend in 11th grade. He helped me write my exams when I didn’t have a writer. Afterward, he said, “There must be so many students like you who need writers — not just visually impaired people, but others with motor disabilities too.” That’s when it struck us — there are countless dating apps, but not a single platform connecting students who need writers with those willing to volunteer.
Later, during a social entrepreneurship competition at TISS Mumbai, we pitched this idea — a platform that connects students with volunteers who can assist them during exams. We got great feedback and started developing it seriously. Now, with guidance from K.V.S. Rao sir (Director, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), and a tech team from IIIT Bhopal, our prototype is ready. We’re hoping to launch by the end of this year as a web-based platform.
Host:That’s brilliant, Mohit. It’s an amazing initiative that can help so many students beyond just the visually impaired community.Before we wrap up — as a law student interested in digital accessibility, what do you think about India’s current legal and policy landscape around disability? Do you see hope for the future?
Mohit: There’s progress, but it’s slow. Many government exams, including UPSC, still don’t have proper screen reader modes. Accessibility is improving, but at a very gradual pace. There’s definitely scope for reform.
Host:Yes, absolutely. Let’s hope this changes soon — and that people like you, who understand both the law and lived experience, will help make it happen.Thank you so much, Mohit, for joining us today. It’s been inspiring hearing your story and your vision. Wishing you all the best with your studies, your startup, and everything ahead.
Mohit: Thank you, sir. It was great talking to you.