Who: Upasana Makati
Education: BMM in Media and Communication from Jai Hind College
What do blind people read? The simple answer is braille, but what kind of books and magazines do they have access to? Even in today’s world with amazing technology, we could only have dreamed of 10 years ago, finding literature for the visually impaired is difficult. So, what do they read if they can’t walk into a bookshop like everybody else?
Upasana Makati, a former public relations executive, found herself asking the same question. She sat down and did some research into the topic and realised that there were no magazines for the blind in India. Surprised, she reached out to the Director of the National Association For The Blind (NAB). He told her that in India, most visually impaired persons listened to podcasts and the radio to get their news. Upasana decided she was going to change that.
Three months later, she quit her job and started ‘White Print’, India’s first magazine for the visually impaired. White Print is an English lifestyle magazine, which means that it contains all kinds of articles. From short stories, music reviews and food columns to travel articles and political coverage – it’s a great source of information for the blind community all over India.
Upasana’s public relations studies have ensured that she is the perfect person to publish a magazine – she connects with others easily and knows what people want to read. She also is able to form networks to find the best stories. The best proof of her skills is in White Print’s advertising. Upasana has convinced major companies like Coca Cola, Raymond’s, Vodafone and more to advertise with them. Thank you, Upasana for making the print media a more inclusive field!
Long Story Short
- Upasana studied Media and Communication at Jai Hind College
- She also worked in Mumbai as a Public Relations Executive
- Upasana wanted to create a magazine that was accessible to blind people
- After three months, she quit her job and started ‘White Print’
- White Print is India’s only magazine for the blind
- It’s printed entirely in braille
- It’s a lifestyle English magazine and contains a lot of information about many subjects like art, food, politics, music, etc.