90 pc blind IAS officer monitors 2.5 lakh students and 600 schools

Macula, a small and extremely sensitive retinal area in the eye when it goes through deterioration causes 'Juvenile macular degeneration', a rare eye illness. Millions of elderly lose their eyesight due to lack of monetary support, as they are unable to undergo a simple cataract surgery.

Aman Gupta, an IAS officer from the 2003 batch also suffers from this disease and is 90 percent blind.

This rare illness has no cure till date. With the help of a stand-mounted USA made video magnifier, Aman is able to read. His medical condition prevents him from even deciphering people's names.

He knew there was a problem when he could not spot the cursor on the computer screen. The illness developed to a stage where he could not see an oncoming cricket ball or even see what was written on a blackboard.

Even with major obstacles in his way, Aman did not give up but went the extra mile to crack the UPSC exams.

In an interview with Times of India, he said,

"I failed to clear UPSC in 2012 for which I prepared with audio books. I devoted more this time and got a 57th all-India rank in the general category."

Aman has a degree in Engineering and currently holds multiple positions including, Director (Personnel), Additional Director (Education), and Secretary to the Commissioner of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

There have been many trying times while handling many responsibilities. Aman recalls an incident when he unintentionally offended an officer during his tenure at SDMC. When the officer offered his hands for a handshake, Aman could not see and stood still. Later he explained to the officer that he was 90 percent blind.

Calling Aman a meticulous officer, Commissioner of SDMC, Puneet Kumar Goel said that he was one of the top officials in SDMC's education department and responsible for managing 600 schools and 2.5 lakh students.

Aman is often seen searching for a push-button that calls for a glass of water, a pen or his mobile phone.

Here is a man and an officer who has survived all odds to dedicate himself to his job, despite the many hardships in his way.

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