Five-time MP Jai Prakash Agarwal has backed Advik Bansal’s EconReads initiative, including its 5,400-signature petition and fundraising campaign for visually impaired students.
New Delhi: A youth-led campaign seeking better educational opportunities for visually impaired students has received a significant boost from veteran parliamentarian Jai Prakash Agarwal.
Agarwal, who has served five terms in Parliament, recently met Advik Bansal, the teenage founder of EconReads, to discuss accessibility, financial literacy and the barriers faced by students with visual impairments.
As part of his support, Agarwal endorsed EconReads’ petition calling for stronger accessibility measures for visually impaired students. The petition has already crossed 5,400 signatures.
He also offered support to EconReads’ fundraising efforts, which aim to help schools for visually impaired students and provide them with accessible learning materials and essential educational equipment.
Advik Bansal Honoured for Accessibility Work
During the meeting, Agarwal presented Bansal with the Youth Gandhi Award for Service in recognition of his work in accessibility and financial education for visually impaired communities.
The veteran parliamentarian also shared his views on grassroots advocacy and explained how community-led initiatives can help drive institutional and policy changes.
Bansal founded EconReads to address gaps in accessible economics and financial education. The initiative has since expanded its reach across Asia.
Its curriculum features 263 lessons divided into 26 modules and has been integrated into nine schools for blind students across Asia. The programme currently receives support from 87 volunteers in six countries.
EconReads is also raising funds to provide essential educational equipment to its partner schools in India.
Bansal Calls for Equal Access
Bansal has consistently advocated for accessibility that goes beyond political divisions. He believes visually impaired people should have the same opportunity to learn, participate in society and build independent lives.
“Accessibility is not a partisan issue. The opportunity to learn, participate, and live with dignity should not depend on whether someone can see a screen,” Bansal said.
Agarwal’s backing comes at a crucial stage for EconReads as the initiative expands its accessible education programme internationally and strengthens its advocacy and fundraising efforts in India.
The campaign reflects how a youth-led initiative can bring together education, financial literacy, accessibility and social inclusion to create greater opportunities for visually impaired students.
