Pune: Fifty Visually Impaired Navigate Drivers in ‘Beyond Sight’ Car Rally, Redefining Disability
Pune, 29th June 2025: Fifty visually impaired participants turned navigators for the day, guiding drivers with remarkable precision over a 22-kilometre route using voice prompts and smartphone navigation tools, as part of the unique car rally ‘Beyond Sight’, organized by Round Table India (Area 15). The event, aimed at promoting inclusion and challenging stereotypes around disability, brought together sighted and visually impaired individuals in a powerful display of collaboration and capability.
Flagged off from Nexa-Mahalaxmi Auto, the rally coursed through Amanora Park, Kharadi Bypass, Shakti Sports, Hyatt Insta, Gold Adlabs Chowk, Verde Society, Gunjan Talkies, Koregaon Park, Westin Hotel, Mundhwa Chowk, and Magarpatta, before concluding at The Fern Club near Amanora Park. The event was flagged off by PC Nambiar, Director of EXIM, Serum Institute of India, along with Anshul Mangal, Chairman of Round Table India (Area 15).
Each vehicle in the rally was piloted by a sighted driver but navigated by a visually impaired individual using smartphone-based cues and oral instructions. The rally, which lasted for approximately 90 minutes, was not a race but a celebration of skill, awareness, and trust.
“This is the first time Round Table India has hosted such a rally in Pune, and the response has been overwhelming,” said Anshul Mangal, Area 15 Chairman of Round Table India. Fifty cars participated, each guided by visually impaired navigators. Beyond Sight is not just a competition—it’s a statement. It breaks conventional notions about disability and highlights the deep spatial understanding, communication skills, and confidence of the visually impaired.”
Key figures present at the event included Shehnaz Pannu of the Poona Blind Men’s Association; Kirti Ruia, Sumit Gupta, Rishabh Patodia, Ronak Patodia, Manan Shah, Gurpreet Sing, and many other members of Round Table India Area 15. Also, the event was graced by Mr.Tarun Singh of Nexa.
“This rally offered more than just excitement. It gave our participants a sense of purpose, joy, and achievement,” said Pannu. “Events like these don’t just engage the visually impaired—they educate society, shift perceptions, and open doors to greater inclusivity.”
Participants expressed elation at being part of the event. “It was thrilling. I felt like I was driving the car,” said one young participant. Others echoed the sentiment, noting that the experience was empowering and educational. Many said they discovered new facets of their abilities, all thanks to the intersection of technology and trust.
As ‘Beyond Sight’ concluded, it left behind more than just a trail of kilometers—it left an indelible impact on perceptions, paving the way for more inclusive and empathetic public spaces.
