I don’t know about you, but every now and then, life drops a story in my lap that makes me rethink all my “big problems.”
You know, things like “my coffee wasn’t hot enough this morning” or “Netflix is buffering again.”
And then along comes a place like Sri Rakum School for the Blind, and suddenly, I realize what real challenges are.
More importantly, how courage, kindness, and community can turn those challenges into opportunities.
Sri Rakum School isn’t just another institution in Bangalore.
It’s more like a living, breathing reminder that hope has a real address.
In a world that often overlooks, Sri Rakum School for the Blind teaches us that vision is not in the eyes, but in the heart.
It’s a free residential school for visually impaired and underprivileged children, where everything from education and meals to martial arts training (yes, you read that right!) is taken care of.
When I first heard about them, I thought, “Okay, that’s inspiring.”
But when I dug deeper into their journey, from starting with just three kids in 1998 to now nurturing nearly 800 students across three campuses, I had to admit, it’s more than inspiring.
It’s humbling. It’s heartwarming.
And it’s exactly the kind of story I wish more people knew about.
Quick Information: Sri Rakum School for the Blind
(Because sometimes you just need the facts before I get too sentimental…)
Free school where kids learn Braille, Bharatanatyam, and maybe even beat you at karate.
Proof that superheroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes, they carry white canes.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Acharya Sri Rakum Ji |
| Type | Free Residential School (Visually Impaired & Underprivileged) |
| Education | Nursery to Post-Graduation |
| Branches | Indiranagar and Devanahalli |
| Students | ~800 |
| Facilities | Free lodging, boarding, food, vocational training, sports, arts, yoga, karate |
| Mission | Education, rehabilitation & inclusion |
| Support | Donations, contributions, volunteering |
| Contact (HQ) | No 421/I, Sri Krishna Temple Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore Tel: (080) 25215253 |
The Story of How It All Began
(Source: Sri Rakum School For The Blind Facebook Page)
Back in 1998, when most of us were busy worrying about the Y2K bug or trying to master dial-up internet, Acharya Sri Rakum Ji was quietly building something extraordinary in Bangalore.
With just three visually impaired children under his care, he started a small residential school.
No flashy launch, no PR campaigns, no big promises, just a simple, genuine intention to change lives.
What makes this story even more remarkable is that Acharya Rakum Ji himself walked away from what most of us would call a “comfortable” life.
He had a secure career in martial arts, with a promising future ahead, but he chose to dedicate himself to children who had very few people standing up for them.
That leap of faith, guided purely by compassion, is what planted the seed of Sri Rakum School for the Blind.
Fast forward to today, and that seed has grown into three fully-fledged campuses in Indiranagar, Devanahalli, and Arkavathy Layout, serving close to 800 children.
The school offers not just academics, but also boarding, food, life skills, vocational training, music, dance, yoga, and even karate (courtesy of Rakum Ji’s martial arts background).
The best part? Every bit of it is free.
Funded purely by donations and contributions, the school runs on the philosophy that education should never be a privilege.
It should be a right, no matter what challenges a child is born with.
Why Sri Rakum School Caught My Heart
(Source: Sri Rakum School For The Blind Facebook Page)
I’ll be honest.
I’ve heard about a lot of charitable organizations before, but what struck me about Sri Rakum School was the sheer wholeness of their approach.
This isn’t just about teaching children how to read and write in Braille. It’s about making sure they can stand tall in society with confidence, dignity, and independence.
What really caught my heart was the sense of family here.
For most of these children, who come from underprivileged backgrounds, Sri Rakum School isn’t just a place of education. It’s home.
It’s where they celebrate festivals together, share meals together, learn together, and grow together.
And then there’s Acharya Rakum Ji himself.
When you see someone give up worldly comforts to dedicate their life entirely to service, it shakes you up a little.
I found myself thinking, “If one man can create such a huge ripple, imagine what could happen if more of us joined in.”
It’s that mix of humility, impact, and pure humanity that made me pause and think, “Okay, this is not just another NGO story. This is something special.”
And honestly, I couldn’t not share it with you.
Moreover, when I saw kids sparring in karate class with more discipline than I’ve ever had in my morning workout, I thought, “maybe I should enroll myself here.”
The Rakum School Approach
(Source: Sri Rakum School For The Blind Facebook Page)
What makes Sri Rakum School stand out is that it doesn’t follow the “bare minimum” model you often see in charitable education.
You know the one, basic books, basic meals, basic care.
Instead, they’ve built a 360-degree approach to nurturing children.
Of course, academics are important here.
Kids learn everything from nursery-level basics right up to post-graduation, with Braille as a medium of learning.
But the school doesn’t stop there.
They believe education should prepare children not just to pass exams, but to live life fully and independently.
That’s why the curriculum includes music, dance, arts, yoga, and sports.
And yes, martial arts too. Because why should anyone assume blindness means weakness?
On top of that, vocational training plays a huge role.
Students learn skills that can help them earn a living once they step out into the world.
Cooking, computer training, and even performing arts are part of the mix.
The result?
Children here don’t just walk away with a degree. They walk away with confidence, dignity, and a fighting spirit.
And let’s not forget the emotional side.
Rakum School makes sure that the kids feel like they’re part of a family.
Festivals, birthdays, special occasions, everything is celebrated together.
For children who may not have experienced the warmth of a home before, this sense of belonging is priceless.
To me, that’s the genius of the Rakum School approach. It’s not charity. It’s empowerment.
Branches of Hope
- Indiranagar (Headquarters): Where it all began. From preschool to PG. A close-knit, vibrant campus.
- Devanahalli: The largest branch, with 500 kids from 26 nearby villages. They even run a Goshala (cow shed) and a healthcare center here.
The Man Behind It: Acharya Sri Rakum Ji
(Source: Sri Rakum School For The Blind Facebook Page)
Now, let’s talk about the man who made all of this possible, Acharya Sri Rakum Ji.
Honestly, if you met him on the street, you’d probably never guess the kind of life-altering work he’s been quietly doing for over two decades.
Before founding the school, Acharya Rakum Ji had a thriving career as a martial arts professional.
He could’ve continued down that path, living comfortably, maybe even with fame and fortune to his name.
But somewhere along the way, he felt a deeper calling.
Instead of chasing personal success, he chose service.
Instead of building a life around himself, he built one around others.
What’s striking about him is not just his sacrifice, but his vision.
He didn’t just want to give children food and shelter. He wanted to give them a chance to live with dignity, to be independent, and to take their place in society as equals.
His martial arts background seeps into his philosophy, too. You can see it in the discipline, resilience, and self-respect he instills in the children.
And here’s the kicker: he’s been doing all of this without charging a single rupee from the students or their families.
The entire school survives on donations and goodwill, yet he never once compromised on the quality of education or care provided.
In a world where most of us are busy asking, “What’s in it for me?”, here’s a man who asked, “What can I give?”
And that, to me, is nothing short of inspiring.
Stories That Gave Me Goosebumps
(Source: Sri Rakum School For The Blind Facebook Page)
As much as the numbers and facts are impressive, what really stuck with me were the individual stories I came across.
These are the kind of stories that make you stop scrolling, blink back a tear, and think, “Wow, I really have no excuse to complain about my Wi-Fi ever again.”
Here are a few that gave me literal goosebumps:
The Girl Who Danced Into Everyone’s Heart
A young girl, completely blind, performed Bharatanatyam with such grace and rhythm that the audience forgot her disability. Watching her move flawlessly to the beats of the mridangam made me realize, vision is not just about the eyes; it’s about the soul.
The Boy Who Topped His Class
One student, who came from a background where even two square meals a day were a luxury, ended up not just passing his exams but topping his class. He didn’t just rewrite his own story, he smashed through every stereotype society had written for him.
The Karate Champion
Thanks to Acharya Rakum Ji’s martial arts training, one of the students went on to win accolades in karate competitions. Imagine the look on his competitors’ faces when they realized they were being outclassed by someone who couldn’t even see them coming!
The Musician in the Making
A boy who picked up a keyboard at school now dreams of becoming a professional musician. Every time he plays, the room fills with a kind of joy that makes you believe in second chances.
The College Graduate
Perhaps the most inspiring are those who started at Rakum School as little children and are now walking into colleges, workplaces, and careers with their heads held high. They’re living proof that this isn’t just a school. It’s a launchpad for life.
Every single story is a reminder that while life may not always deal fair cards, what matters is having someone to show you how to play the hand you’ve got.
How You (and I) Can Help
Let’s be real. Schools like this don’t run on thin air.
They survive and thrive because of donations, volunteers, and kind souls who step in.
Here are some ways you can contribute:
- Donate: Every rupee counts—towards food, shelter, education, and expansion.
- Volunteer: Teach, share skills (music, computers, cooking, even hairstyling!), or just spend time with the kids.
- CSR Partnerships: Companies can directly support Rakum under their CSR initiatives.
- Spread the Word: Share their story, because awareness is half the battle.
And trust me, when you see these kids smile, it feels better than any five-star dinner.
FAQs About Sri Rakum School for the Blind
What is Sri Rakum School for the Blind?
It’s a free residential school in Bangalore that provides education, food, lodging, and life skills training for visually impaired and underprivileged children, from nursery to post-graduation.
Who founded the school?
The school was founded in 1998 by Acharya Sri Rakum Ji, who gave up a successful martial arts career to dedicate his life to serving visually impaired children.
How many students study at Sri Rakum School?
Currently, the school supports nearly 800 students across two campuses located in Indiranagar and Devanahalli.
What kind of education do the students receive?
Students are taught regular academics in Braille, along with extracurriculars like music, dance, yoga, arts, and martial arts. They also receive vocational training to help them become independent after graduation.
Is everything really free for the students?
Yes! Education, boarding, food, clothing, healthcare, and training are all provided free of cost, thanks to donations and contributions from well-wishers.
How can I support the school?
You can support Sri Rakum School by donating, volunteering, or even sponsoring meals or children’s education. Every contribution—big or small—makes a direct impact.
Where is the main campus located?
The main campus is at:
Sri Rakum School for the Blind,
No. 421/I, Sri Krishna Temple Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore – 560038.
Phone: +91 (80) 25215253
My Final Thoughts
If you ask me, Sri Rakum School for the Blind is not just a school.
It’s a movement of hope and inclusion. It teaches us that vision isn’t about sight, it’s about perspective.
And these kids, with their courage and determination, probably see life clearer than most of us do.
So next time you’re stuck cribbing about Bangalore traffic or bad Wi-Fi (guilty as charged), think of the kids at Rakum, who are literally rewriting their destiny with the tools given to them here.
👉 Want to make a difference today?
Visit Sri Rakum School for the Blind, spend some time with the kids, or contribute in whatever way you can.
Trust me, it’ll be the most rewarding investment you’ll ever make.
📍 Sri Rakum School for the Blind
421/I, Shri Krishna Temple Road,
Indira Nagar 1st Stage, Bengaluru – 560038
Phone: +91 (80) 25215253 / +91 (80) 25215705
Email: info@rakum.org
Website: https://rakum.org
For donations, visit their website or simply drop in at their Indiranagar branch.
I walked into Sri Rakum School expecting to write about it.
I walked out realizing I’d actually learned from it.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s what real education is all about.
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