Her story is one of unimaginable grit, but while the world celebrates other milestones, one of India’s most profound academic achievements has been left largely unappreciated. Meet Rajani Gopalkrishna, India’s first visually impaired woman to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)—a feat she accomplished after losing her eyesight two decades ago.
Rajani’s life changed forever at the age of nine. A simple prescription of penicillin tablets for a common cold, given without a mandatory test dose, triggered a severe allergic reaction known as Steven Johnson Syndrome. This led to the gradual deterioration of her vision.
By the time she completed her B.Com, she had completely lost sight in her left eye, and soon after, she lost vision in both eyes. The path ahead was dark, with job opportunities drying up due to the prejudice against her disability.
Instead of conceding to despair, Rajani sought a challenge worthy of her intellect: the highly demanding Chartered Accountancy course, known as one of the toughest examinations in the world even for sighted individuals.
To clear the CA exams, which are heavily reliant on visual data like balance sheets and financial statements, Rajani had to invent her own study methods. She trained herself extensively on screen-reading software and developed a powerful mental blueprint for complex transactions, effectively “seeing” the balance sheets in her mind.
After immense struggle and perseverance, she successfully cleared the examinations, making her India’s First Blind Woman Chartered Accountant in 2002.
“It took me immense grit, perseverance, and patience,” Rajani noted in a past interview. “But I realised that this is not the way to tackle a problem. I will have to find out ways and means of solving this.”
Despite achieving a historic “first” that should stand as a national inspiration, Rajani Gopalkrishna’s name remains largely absent from mainstream national honour lists and public appreciation. Her quiet success is a powerful testament to human resilience but also highlights the need for greater recognition and celebration of people who achieve extraordinary feats despite significant physical challenges.
Currently, CA Rajani Gopalkrishna serves in a senior financial role at an organisation, proving that true vision comes from within. Her journey is a profound reminder that what a person lacks physically is often superseded by the power of their spirit.
