Empathy Over Advice: A Journey of Resilience and Acceptance
An uplifting evening celebrating vulnerability, inner strength, and the transformative power of storytelling unfolded in Raipur as The Write Circle, an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation, hosted author and entrepreneur Rishabh Gupta. Engaging in a candid conversation with Aditi Srivastava Khandelwal, Ehsaas Woman of Raipur, Gupta shared profound insights from his book, What I See Now: A Story of Losing Sight and Seeing Everything Else, offering the audience a deeply moving narrative on self-acceptance and resilience.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome address by Aanchal Garcha, Ehsaas Woman of Raipur, who introduced the speakers and set an inviting tone for an evening centred on inspiration and meaningful literary exchange.
Steering the dialogue, Khandelwal engaged Gupta on his transition into an “accidental author,” revealing how his book naturally evolved from voice recordings, long reflections, and personal testimony rather than a pre-planned outline. Gupta spoke with striking honesty about his journey following his visual impairment diagnosis a decade ago, touching upon the emotional strain of navigating non-inclusive environments and the pressure to conceal vulnerability. Blending humour and wit, he shared how sports like chess, table tennis, and football served as vital outlets, while music provided a powerful coping mechanism. Emphasising the importance of peer support and genuine understanding for persons with disabilities, Gupta remarked that words of empathy are far more impactful than good advice, poignantly noting, “I might have lost my sight, but never my vision.”
An interactive Q&A session followed, during which attendees engaged the author with thoughtful questions. Concluding the session, Kirti Kirdatt, Ehsaas Woman of Raipur, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the guest author, conversationalist, and audience. Following the vote of thanks, Rakesh Kamran felicitated Gupta and Khandelwal with traditional tribal masks, celebrating the region’s rich folk heritage. The evening drew to a close with an intimate book-signing session.
This session was organized with the support of Ehsaas Women of Raipur
