Archive · 6 Jun 2025
DSMNRU Creates Scented Pathways for Visually Impaired Students
Imagine trying to find your way around a school if you couldn't see!
At a special university in India, they're helping students who can't see by creating 'smelly paths.'
These paths have flowers with strong smells planted in certain spots.
The different smells help the students know where they are going, like a sweet smell might mean a classroom, and another smell might mean the library.
It's like a secret code of smells that helps the students move around easily and feel more confident.
This new idea is also a way for students to enjoy being around nature.
DSMNRU in Lucknow has created fragrant pathways, or 'Sugandh Path,' for visually impaired students.
The pathways utilize strategically planted, strongly scented flowers to guide students by their sense of smell.
Different flowers with distinct scents are placed along specific routes to mark destinations.
The initiative aims to increase students' confidence and connection with nature.
In the first phase, aromatic plants are planted from the hostel to the academic building.
- Who
- Visually impaired students at DSMNRU are the primary beneficiaries; the initiative was led by the university's gardening team and Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Singh.
- What
- The creation of 'Sugandh Path,' fragrant pathways using strategically planted scented flowering plants to guide visually impaired students.
- When
- Inaugurated on World Environment Day
- Where
- Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) campus in Lucknow.
- Why
- To help visually impaired students navigate the campus using their sense of smell, fostering independence and connection with nature.
- Location
- Lucknow
- University
- Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University
- Target Group
- Visually impaired students
- Initiative Name
- Sugandh Path
- Inauguration Date
- World Environment Day
- Leadership
- Gardening team and VC Prof. Sanjay Singh