Says 25-year-old Chennai based Beno Zephine, the first visually challenged person to be inducted into the prestigious Indian Foreign Service. In a brief conversation, she maintains her maxim for success is hard work with loads of fortitude and tenacity.
What was your first reaction when you learnt you had been inducted into the coveted Indian Foreign Service?
I was overjoyed and extremely happy. At the same time, I also become aware that I had been entrusted with a huge responsibility. Now I have to read a lot more and improve my awareness and knowledge. It also dawned on me that I too had a role to play now, no matter how miniscule, in building the image of the country. That is daunting. Lastly, I realised that being the first visually challenged person to join the IFS, it is important to prove myself. I am a representative of the visually challenged, the differently abled, thus if I do well, I can open the gates for other members of my community.
Have you ever felt challenged by your blindness?
No never. I have never considered myself disabled or inferior to anyone. In school and college, I have been good at both academics and co-curricular activities and won many awards. I don’t believe in wallowing in sympathy or seeking concessions to enhance my opportunities. I consider myself equal to those who can see. I am an individual first. I should be known for what I have achieved, not for being a visually challenged person.
What the biggest challenge you faced to reach so far in life?
I would like to quote Helen Keller here: “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” We are all born with some disability or the other. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were dyslexic, Beethoven suffered from depression, Kalpana Chawla would never have become the first Indian woman to go into space if she kept weighing herself down with health issues in space. I feel we are all, each one of us, is challenged in some way or the other. It could be mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, visible or invisible. And, to overcome our challenges, our disability we need to strive hard and work with fortitude and tenacity.
Who is your role model?
I don’t have any particular role model. Every person I meet in life is my teacher. I learn something from them. Every interaction enriches me. I like to retain my originality and individuality.
How did you prepare yourself for the UPSC exams, the gateway to prestigious government services?
It was tough because I was preparing for my UPSC exams (conducted for various government services) as well studying for Masters in Literature. I used JAWS (Job Access with Speech) screen reader app that provides speech and Braille output. With JAWS I could scan books. I used to listen to All India Radio regularly. My mother would read to me sometimes for 5-6 hours.
What have you been reading currently?
Well, I read The Hindu and The Economist habitually. As far as books are concerned, I am currently reading Pax Indica (Shashi Tharoor) and Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe).
What are some ways to empower the visually challenged to live independent and productive lives?
I think just like women had to struggle hard to break barriers a few decades ago, so too the visually impaired have to put in great effort to achieve anything in life. You cannot ask anybody to liberate you. The change should come from within. It should engulf you. You cannot keep lamenting about your disabilities and your limited resources. You have to hone your positives excellently. Our society is very generous and reciprocal. Hard work is always rewarded.
What are your goals for the future - personally and professionally?
Personally, I want to write a book on my parents. I owe my success to them. They raised me like a non-disabled child and never let me feel inferior. They never said ‘no’ for anything and encouraged me to fulfil my potential at every stage of my life. I am also a constant knowledge seeker, hence I wish to read a lot more and increase my knowledge.
Professionally, I want to do whatever I can in my capacity with the help of my seniors, to put my country on the best possible footing.
It appeared in one of the interviews that you are a big time foodie. What type of food do you relish?
Well, I am fond of non-vegetarian food, particularly prawns and sea food.
You have an unusual name. What does it mean?
Beno means daughter of God and Zephine means hidden treasure. My father deliberated extensively before he settled for this unusual name for me.
Beno, how would you describe yourself in a few words?
I am bold, dignified, honest and always willing-to-learn person.
This interview was conducted soon after Beno was inducted into the IFS.
