No limits for Saida Naik

Saida Naik was ecstatic when he walked into LVPEI recently – he had been selected as a probationary officer by the State Bank of India. A patient of LVPEI for 12 years, he remembers when life didn’t seem so promising.

Saida was born with albinism, a pigmentation disorder that robs the skin of its color and also affects vision. Albinism causes reduced visual acuity and extreme sensitivity to bright lights. His parents were farmers in Narasaraopeta,Guntur district. They had themselves never been to school, but they gave him an education. Eager to learn, Saida managed to get by at school by standing next to the chalkboard. In 1997, when he was in high school, a friend (also a patient of LVPEI) advised him to go to LVPEI.

At LVPEI, Saida underwent a detailed eye examination and was operated upon. Though his vision could not be restored,the surgery stopped the shaking of his pupils (nystagmus). He was referred to the Vision Rehabilitation Centres, where he underwent some more tests. Finally, he was prescribed glasses – 2 pairs, one each for short and long distance. He was also given a telescope that would help him read bus numbers. He now pulls it out of his pocket, proudly saying it’s 12 years old and still functional! He received the glasses and telescope free of cost.*

Now 26, Saida has a commendable academic track record, while studying all through in government schools. He Now 26, Saida has a commendable academic track record, while studying all through in government schools. He lost his father at a very young age, but was encouraged by his mother to continue his studies, despite financial constraints.

After doing a B Com from SKRBR Degree College in Narasaraopeta, Saida took coaching classes and was admitted to the MBA program at Acharya Nagarjuna University Campus College, near Vijayawada. He worked as faculty in the same college while continuing to study for his MBA.

Saida topped the university and was offered a job with ICICI Bank in campus recruitments. For two years he worked as a Team Leader with the HPCL Petro Card Division based in Hyderabad, leading a group of 18 youngsters.

Yet Saida was not content. He decided to take a bank exam for probationary officers, which he got through fairly easily! Excited, he wanted to qualify for the country’s leading banks. He attended coaching classes and applied for several bank examinations. Finally, he qualified for the one of his choice – State Bank of India. A thrilled Saida came to share the news with his friends at LVPEI, reeling off all the advantages of the job.

Saida says he has not had any trouble performing his job and shares an excellent rapport with all those he works with. And as he derives satisfaction from his job, he continues to enjoy other things in life – he is a good cook and a singer, performing devotional music in TTD temples regularly.

*(Mr Praveen Gottipalli of USA continues to support the provision of low vision devices to underprivileged patients at LVPEI’s Vision Rehabilitation Centres)