People of Value

Bangalore: Visually challenged Paul is promoted to Manager at Canara Bank

Paul Muddha, a visually challenged employee at Canara Bank's credit card division, has been elevated to the managerial position. The promotion, which came after Paul's successful clearance of Scale 2 examination (with 61 per cent), has made him the first-ever visually challenged manager in the bank.

"Apart from my daily work here, I had to read regularly to get ready for the exams, which decides the promotions in our bank." Paul (36), who is currently handling customer care in the credit card section, told Deccan Herald. "I recorded the material with the help of those volunteering to read for the blind and in total, I had to listen to 97 cassettes."

Rendered orphan at a very young age, Paul pursued his education at Whitefield's Divine Light residential school. He joined Canara Bank in 1991 as a telephone operator, but became eligible for promotion after completing his MBA, the first visually challenged persons in the State to do so. The Bank, on its part, recognized his progress by offering him promotion at various stages.

"He has been a persistent worker at our section." a senior colleague commented on Paul's accomplishment. "He is very quick in attending to customers, be it noting down their details or getting the figures for them. We would turn to him for assistance, especially if anything urgent needs to be done.

The way he goes about his work is clear evidence that he isn't any different from others." Awaiting a transfer following the promotions, Paul hopes to work in the bank's Core banking division, making clear his interest to learn new technologies.

Paul has won several accolades for the enthusiasm he shows at work, which includes the Presidential Award for being the best visually challenged employee.

Source: Visually challenged man is Manager in Canara Bank, Deccan Herald, Daily Bangalore, 30 Aug 2006.