First 100% blind IFS officer

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, June 15, 2015:  Beno Zephine, a  25-year-old from Chennai was informed by the MEA - ministry of external affairs, on June12, that she has been inducted into the Indian Foreign Service. she is the  first 100 per cent visually-challenged person to gain entry into the 69-year-old service.

Beno with all joy said that  she was really thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this big decision. The IFS was open for the blind,  exception was made for candidates with low vision so far.  Beno, is a probationary officer with the State Bank of India. Since the news broke, she has literally been on her toes, giving motivational lectures at schools and colleges across the city.  in order to give the assignment, the central government has modified some regulations. She had cleared the civil services exam last year but her posting was pending.

Former diplomats have hailed the decision to allow 100 per cent visually challenged people into the prestigious IFS. It is a revolutionary decision as many promising people lost out for lacking 20:20 vision. Candidates wearing spectacles (and thereby have perfect vision) are accepted and at least one case last year where a person who had lost an eye in an accident was admitted to the income tax or one of the related revenue services.

It’s a very forward-looking, generous view taken by the Centre. She (Beno) will have some difficulties, but having come so far, she will do well. Also field work that is usually important for IAS cadres is not required for IFS officers; they need to study, analyse and  guide.