AHMEDABAD: Much before Helen Keller , he was known as the ‘miracle worker’ of Gujarat. If anybody really contributed for the betterment of visually challenged in Gujarat much before Keller, it was Neelkanthrai Chhatrapati (1854-1922).

He adapted Braille script to Indian languages, especially Hindi and Gujarati. He was the first to write about Braille in Gujarati and set up a school for the visually challenged in Khadia. This was over half a century before Jagdish Patel founded Blind Men’s Association in Ahmedabad.

Eminent historian Makrand Mehta has profiled him for his immense contribution in shaping modern society of Gujarat in his recently published Gujarat na Ghadvaiya – Part II. This book profiles 39 personalities.

Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Chhatrapati obtained his degree in medicine and surgery in 1878 from Mumbai’s Grant Medical College, and started practice in Khadia from 1880. He also accepted responsibility of teaching at the B J Medical College.

After a decade-long successful practice, Chhatrapati lost his vision. Till then he had already earned a reputation of an expert in cataract surgery. He was an equally active social reformer. Along with doyens of that era — Mahipatram Rupram, Lalshankar Umiashankar, Ranchhodlal Chhotalal and Premabhai — Chhatrapati started the anti-liquor movement in 1886.

Though he was faced with the greatest limitation as he lost his sight in 1891, he did not stop serving humanity. He resorted to scientific ways to improve conditions of the visually challenged people. He contacted various experts in the West and began surveying journals. He also established contact with London’s Royal School for the Blind through one of his former colleges.

With the help of literature sent by the institute, Chhatrapati worked on the Braille script and adapted it for Hindi and Gujarati languages. He sought help from Gujarat Vernacular Society, which allotted him space to carry out activities. In 1902, he was appointed principal at Victoria Memorial School for the Blind in Mumbai.