Birth Centenary of Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Helen Keller, born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, emerged as an immortal symbol of resilience and triumph over adversity. Afflicted by deafness, blindness, and muteness at just 18 months old, Helen’s early years were characterized by wildness and limited understanding of the world around her. However, her true journey began in 1887 when Anne Mansfield Sullivan, a young graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, arrived to be her teacher, thanks to the intervention of the renowned scientist Alexander Graham Bell.

Anne Sullivan’s remarkable success in unlocking Helen’s extraordinary intellect is well-known through Helen’s autobiography, “The Story of My Life.” Helen’s formal education began in 1898 at the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, paving the way for her admission to Radcliffe College in 1900. She graduated with distinction in 1904, marking the culmination of her academic journey. Despite the end of formal schooling, Helen maintained a lifelong passion for learning and intellectual pursuits.

Helen Keller’s literary career blossomed during her Radcliffe College days and continued for five decades. She authored numerous books and contributed prolifically to magazines and newspapers, addressing topics ranging from blindness and deafness to social issues and women’s rights. Her remarkable achievements earned her honorary doctoral degrees from prestigious institutions worldwide, including Harvard University, Delhi University, and Temple University, among others.

Throughout her life, Helen received numerous awards and accolades, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honour. In 1965, she was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame at the New York World’s Fair. Her birthplace, “Ivy Green,” was designated a permanent shrine in 1954.

Despite her global recognition and wide-ranging interests, Helen Keller remained committed to advocating for the needs of her fellow blind and deaf-blind individuals. She tirelessly appeared before legislatures, delivered lectures, and wrote articles to champion their cause. Her personal friendships included luminaries such as Alexander Graham Bell, Mark Twain, and William James.

During her travels, Helen visited India in 1955 and met Jawaharlal Nehru. She passed away on June 1, 1968, at Arcan Ridge, just weeks before her 88th birthday. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to commemorate her legacy with a special postage stamp, recognizing her indomitable spirit and enduring contributions to humanity.