History

During its Silver Jubilee year in 1977, NAB, India convened the Third All India Conference on Work for the Blind, where Capt. H.J.M. Desai the then Honorary Secretary General of NAB presented two thought provoking papers on the importance of establishing a nationwide network of services for the visually handicapped.  Inspired by these presentations of Capt. Desai, several workers in the field of blind welfare took the initiative of establishing Branches all over India.

The first Branch of NAB now known as NAB Tamil Nadu State Branch was established on January 28, 1960.  This was followed by opening of Branches in Kerala, Gujarat and so on.

A full-fledged Committee for NAB State Branches was constituted in September 1980 and subsequently the NAB State Branches Dept. was set up to guide the Branches for starting various blind welfare activities, monitor these activities, keep track of their progress, besides looking after the overall administration of the Branches.

Activities Undertaken

The multifarious activities taken up for promotion of blind welfare by NAB - in the areas of Education, Rehabilitation, Vocational Training, Prevention & Cure of Blindness, Employment, Community Based Rehabilitation, Services for the Elderly Blind, Sports & Recreation etc. are replicated by our State Branches all over India.

In every State where there are sufficient number of persons willing to serve the cause of the Blind, can form themselves into a Branch of the NAB, India. These persons are required to enroll as members of NAB and then form a State Branch with the prior approval of the Executive Council of NAB.

The State Branch though registered under appropriate legislation remains under general direction, supervision and control of NAB.

A Branch may frame its owns rules and regulations based on the guidelines provided in the Model Constitution for State Branches, subject to prior approval of the Executive Council of NAB.