Her bags almost packed, 18-year-old Payal Bhattad jabbers animatedly, just like any teenybopper, of her impending trip to South Africa as she gropes the bag for its zipper. But unlike other teenagers, Payal is visually challenged since birth and will take off on a student exchange programme with 13 other students on Thursday.
Indeed, a giant stride for a village girl from Wardha district who is a first year arts student at Wilson college, Chowpatty. Payal has been selected for the University of Mumbai’s ‘Gandhi Inspired Student Exchange Program’ which started a year ago for management students. The only arts student and an undergraduate, the national-level swimmer who is a gold medallist, will join management students who will spend eight days in South Africa. Their sojourn includes a five-day stint at Unisa University in Johannesburg and three days in Cape Town.
“Of course, I’m on cloud nine...” Payal, daughter of a cotton trader, told DNA amid giggles and smiles while shopping for clothes on Tuesday. “Three months ago, I came to Mumbai for further studies and now I’m off to South Africa.”
Payal’s classmate, Neetu Singh, is just as happy for her friend. “Payal has a zest for life and lives it to the hilt. I feel lucky to have a friend like her.”
Payal, who puts up at a girls’ hostel in the city, has completed her studies up to class 12 in the vernacular medium by scoring a distinction. She aspires to become a lecturer or a journalist.
The contagion of Payal’s happiness has caught on to her folks back home in Vidarbha. Her mother, Suvidha, is all praise for her daughter. “Despite her physical challenge, Payal has always been very independent. Whether it’s helping out in cooking or household chores or handling computer-related work... I’ve never felt my child is blind,” Suvidha said over the phone, that hint of pride palpable in her voice.
The exchange program aims at promoting Gandhian thought among management students. Students from that country will visit India next year on January 30, Bapu’s death anniversary.
