Now a fashion show for the visually-challenged

Students put up a music and fashion show for the first time in Ahmedabad this week.

Renowned doctor and managing trustee of the charity Blinds’ Dream, Samir Mansuri hosted the first ever fashion show where models walking the ramp comprised of visually-challenged women. Held this week in Ahmedabad, the show featured seven girls walking the ramp along with seven girls from the VLCC Institute who guided them.

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Dr Mansuri, himself visually challenged, is an ayurvedic doctor who diagnoses ailments by feeling a patient's pulse. He is very well known in Bollywood circles and on previous occasions has treated bigwigs like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan, Vivek Oberoi and Subhash Ghai. Says Mansuri, “We wanted to encourage the visually challenged with this unique fashion show. We want to give them strength, boost their level of confidence and make them believe that they are no less then the rest of the world.” As these models walked the ramp, an orchestra consisting of blind singers also performed in the background.

All the seven contestants on the ramp belong to Andh Kanya Prakash Gruh, which is an institute in Ahmedabad, which works for the blind. The girls were seen sporting bridal and retro attire for the show. Says Reema Thakar of VLCC, "The girls showcased our bridal theme that also demonstrated the need of unity in the country. We showcased a collection worn by brides from four different religions. These included Hindu (only Rajput), Muslim, Sikh, Catholic and a retro look, which is trendy these days. Ghai and his wife Rehana Farooqui were the chief guests at the event.