Hemanth, a Grade 5 student from Ambedkar Nagara Lower Primary School, Whitefield comes from a modest migrant family from Andhra Pradesh. His mother works as a house help and his father as an office boy.

Living with significant hearing loss, Hemanth is known for his cheerful nature, enthusiasm in class, and remarkable talent in drawing. He actively participates in school activities despite his challenges.

For nearly a year, a volunteer from Whitefield Rising worked persistently to help him access a hearing aid. However, due to his Aadhaar and ration card being registered in Andhra Pradesh, he was ineligible for many state government schemes.

A breakthrough came in February, when the volunteer learned about the assistive device distribution initiative by Association of People with Disability. Since APD does not restrict applicants based on state documentation, Hemanth was able to apply successfully.

Soon, he received his hearing device, with the APD team guiding the family through its usage with care and patience.

As Hemanth prepares to transition to a new school this year, this device marks a new beginning—enhancing his confidence and enabling him to reach his full potential.