Akriti Rajvanshi led a completely ordinary life while growing up in Rajgir within Bihar's Nalanda district. She excelled academically and consistently ranked among the top students across her college and university. However, following her 12th-grade studies, her eyesight began to deteriorate gradually, and by the year 2023, she lost her vision completely. Akriti shares that during the initial phase, she struggled to figure out what path her life should take next. Repeated questions haunted her mind regarding what she could possibly achieve without sight and what society would perceive of her. Her family also grew deeply concerned about her future, leaving her facing the monumental challenge of rebuilding her life entirely from scratch.
Refusing to Let Others' Words Become a Weakness
When her vision faded, people around her began making various remarks and raising questions regarding her marriage and future prospects. Many assumed Akriti would no longer be able to study or pursue any occupation like before. Yet, Akriti refused to let these comments weigh her down. She explains that prior to this phase, she was not particularly serious about her future, but experiencing vision loss pushed her to understand herself deeply. She read books, explored human psychology through audiobooks, and worked actively on her communication skills. While she initially found it difficult to grasp people's intentions and behaviors, she can now comprehend others much better, and her self-confidence has risen significantly.
Finding Information Online and Traveling from Bihar to Delhi
Akriti discovered training programs for visually impaired individuals running in Delhi, along with a person named David associated with blind football, through internet searches. She checked their website and YouTube channel, obtained a contact number, and reached out. Although she made initial contact in January, admissions and training could not commence immediately at that time. She reconnected in July, which finally provided her the opportunity to travel to Delhi. During the admission process here, officials asked if she could stay long-term to complete the course, as many trainees tend to drop out midway. Akriti accepted the challenge head-on and relocated to Delhi to begin her learning journey.
Turning Hands into Eyes While Learning Tailoring and Handicrafts
After arriving in Delhi, Akriti realized she learned far more in person than she ever could through online classes. During the training sessions here, she is being taught tailoring, handicrafts, and various artistic skills. Describing her early experiences with sewing, she mentions how her stitches were initially crooked and fabrics frequently went off alignment. To counter this, trainers would guide her hands directly over the machine. Using rubber attachments and other techniques built into the sewing machines, she learned to understand the correct direction of the fabric. Akriti believes one should never assume whether a task is possible before attempting it, as continuous effort remains essential.
Choosing a Creative Path Over a Government Job
Her family originally desired that Akriti pursue traditional studies and secure a government job to guarantee her future security. However, Akriti's true passion lies in art and creative endeavors. She wishes to build an identity crafting jewelry and working within the handicrafts sector. Even at home, she has previously crafted jewelry pieces for her family members. Furthermore, she has completed a candle-making course. Akriti shares that she deeply enjoys creating novel items with her hands and wants to advance further in this very domain.
Beauty Resides in Skills and Behavior Rather Than the Face
When asked during a conversation how she perceives beauty, Akriti offered a remarkably profound perspective. She stated that beauty does not stem from facial features or external appearances alone. A face looks a certain way today, but it changes over time, whereas a person's virtues, conduct, knowledge, and skills remain lifelong companions. Akriti concludes that her life experiences have taught her that a human being's true identity is forged through their thoughts and actions.
