We are no longer surprised to see the visually impaired strumming a guitar or playing a piano or even swimming. But, expecting them to shoot from firearms is too much. It’s not so anymore.

This was proved by the students of St Michael Blind School who not only got the feel of sophisticated firearms such as self-loading rifle (SLR) and AK-56, but also had the rare opportunity of pulling the trigger.

The group of 66 — 28 girls and 38 boys — had their first tryst with firing today at the state police department’s kiosk at Udyog Mela organised by the industries department at Military Grounds in Morabadi. Officials of the police department and the engineers of Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies Private Limited (ZTPL) taught them how to shoot.

“This is the first time that I operated a firearm. I was scared when I closed my fingers around the trigger. But, once the bullet was out, I felt exhilarated,” said Preeti Kumari, a KG student, after getting some hands-on experience with an AK-56.

Class III student Md Shahnawaz Alam was similarly awed. He pressed the trigger of SLR thrice. “I had never imagined that I would get to touch a firearm,” he said.

An engineer of ZTPL, Chaitanya, said they were able to provide such an opportunity to the children because of a technology — used by the army — developed by his company.

“The firearms that the children used were attached to a “firing simulator” prepared by our company, which helps in training inside a room without the use of actual cartridge,” Chaitanya informed.

“The equipment costs Rs 60 lakh and is used by army personnel at 400 centres across the country. It prevents misuse of cartridge, thus minimising training costs. It also helps instill confidence in personnel who are reluctant to open fire during training,” he added.

IG (provision) S.N. Pradhan had made the arrangements. Two buses were sent to bring the children. They were also provided with refreshments. “It was a part of our efforts to boost the morale of special children. Yesterday, we had invited 50 physically challenged people from Cheshire Home. They too tried firing,” Pradhan said.