: Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 2:30 AM IST
The burden of our failure to connect with the hearing-impaired should weigh heavily upon our conscience, writes Alka Jain
As per the 2011 Census, the total population of the hearing impaired in India is about 50 lakh. Sadly, a vast majority of parents of hearing-impaired children have also not learnt sign language. It would be wishful thinking to hope that schools make the Indian Sign Language (ISL) a mandatory subject. Perhaps, we, the people, will take up this responsibility on our own.
Puneet (C), at the Multi Skills Centre for the Deaf, with her students
An enthusiastic author once told me that stories are strewn everywhere. Much depends on whether we choose to narrate them or not, as, in search of the extraordinary, we sift and leave out exemplary deeds that cross our paths every day. I began looking around in earnest and was pleasantly surprised to discover the brilliant tales dotting my horizon, ready to see the light of the day.