Man arrested for raping deaf-mute niece in Samastipur

18.12.2025
Patna: Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly raping his deaf and mute teenage niece in Samastipur district.

According to the complaint, the incident took place on Dec 15 when the survivor was sent to fetch a spade from the fields. The accused allegedly intercepted her, took her to his house and raped her.

The teenager managed to escape and informed her family about the assault through gestures. She later went to the police station accompanied by her relatives and lodged a complaint.

Following the arrest, both the survivor and the accused were sent for medical examination. Police said further legal proceedings are underway.

Deaf and mute woman registers complaint six years after sexual assault in Mumbai

18.12.2025
Mumbai: Six years after a deaf and mute woman was drugged and sexually assaulted, she registered a police complaint after getting support from her husband. Kurar police arrested the accused and transferred the case to Vakola police as it occurred in their jurisdiction.

The victim was a minor when the incident occurred in SAFETY HEALTH GURU 2009. She attended a friend's birthday party when the accused saw her. Later, one of her friends took her to his house. The accused offered her a spiked beverage and sexually assaulted her after she passed out. When the girl came to, she found that she was bleeding. She told her family but did not get enough support to lodge a complaint until now.

After arresting the accused, the police seized his phone and found that it contained inappropriate videos of several women. Police suspect he filmed these women over video call, without their consent, and subsequently blackmailed them.

Further police investigation is ongoing, and police are trying to reach out to other victims to record their statements.

Test National Cricket Championship for Deaf off to grand opening in Kolkata

December 19, 2025

Kolkata, Dec 18 (IANS) The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), on Thursday, kicked off the 4th edition of the Test National Cricket Championship for Deaf in Kolkata in a grand opening ceremony held at Merlin Rise Pavilion, Kolkata.

The nearly week-long Test series will have two semifinal cricket matches played simultaneously at Kolkata’s Merlin Rise Cricket Ground and Rajasthan Club Ground from December 18 to 23. The winners of the semifinals will then compete for the champion’s trophy in the Final Test match from December 21 to 23.

While semifinal 1 will be played between Delhi and Bengal, semifinal 2 will have Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir competing for a place in the Final. Winning the toss against host Bengal, Delhi elected to bowl first; while winning their toss against Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir also elected to bowl.

The IDCA 4th Test National Cricket Championship for the Deaf is being organised under the patronage of Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Group, and will run from December 18 to 23, 2025, bringing together some of India’s most talented hearing-impaired cricketers from across the four states.

Speaking about the championship, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, “The 4th Test National Cricket Championship for the Deaf will be a testing ground for all the players as it will be played in two innings across three days. While the players are used to playing a shorter format of the game, a Test match will not only test their fitness but also their consistency to play well for four innings across three days.

“With this series, we also aim to celebrate the spirit, resilience, and talent of our hearing-impaired athletes and show our fighting spirit. With the generous support of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Merlin Rise Group management and our partners, we are continuing to create a strong platform for differently abled cricketers to shine on a national stage,” he said.

Thanking the support partners, Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA, added, “I am really happy that the 4th Test National Cricket Championship is taking place in Kolkata. Our aim of bringing together talented players who represent the strength of inclusivity in sports would not be possible without our partners’ continued support. I am especially grateful to our venue partner, Merlin Rise Pavilion, for providing us with this wonderful location and EIILM – Kolkata for their volunteers and immense support.”

The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) was founded in 2020 by Sumit Jain, President of IDCA and Vice President & member of DCCI (Differently Abled Cricket Committee, BCCI). Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, IDCA is committed to developing cricket among deaf athletes in India and providing them with opportunities at state, national, and international levels.

Anirban Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Founder Chairman, Heritage Global Bengal, officially kicked off the Test series and said, “I really want to see some of the players here to play for India’s main team someday because I know it is possible. There was a Divyang player who went on to play for the Indian team and became one of the best Googly bowlers that the Indian team had. I take a lot of inspiration from him and from all of you here, because I believe you all can achieve something that I can’t. So, keep inspiring all of us.”

Mukhopadhyay was also joined by Abhijit Ghosh, Director (HR & CA), and Romon Sebastian Louis, Director (Service Business) – Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd, as guests of honour.

பழநி முருகன் கோயிலில் மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகளுக்கு கட்டணமில்லா தரிசனம், ரோப் கார் சேவை!

திண்டுக்கல்: பழநி முருகன் கோயிலுக்கு வரும் மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகளை சுவாமி தரிசனம், ரோப் கார் மற்றும் வின்ச் ரயிலில் கட்டணமில்லாமல் அனுமதிக்கும் திட்டத்தை அறநிலையத் துறை அமைச்சர்கள் பி.கே.சேகர்பாபு, அர.சக்கரபாணி ஆகியோர் இன்று (டிச.8) தொடங்கி வைத்தனர்.

பழநி மலை அடிவாரத்தில் உள்ள திருஆவினன்குடி கோயிலில் 12 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகு நடைபெற்ற கும்பாபிஷேகத்தில் அமைச்சர்கள் பி.கே.சேகர்பாபு, அர.சக்கரபாணி ஆகியோர் பங்கேற்றனர்.

அதனைத் தொடர்ந்து, 2025-26-ம் ஆண்டு இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறை சட்டப்பேரவை அறிவிப்புகளை நிறைவேற்றிடும் வகையில், பழநி முருகன் கோயிலுக்கு வரும் மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகளை சுவாமி தரிசனம், ரோப் கார் மற்றும் வின்ச் ரயிலில் கட்டணமில்லாமல் அனுமதிக்கும் திட்டத்தை அமைச்சர்கள் பி.கே.சேகர்பாபு, அர.சக்கரபாணி தொடங்கி வைத்தனர்.

பின்னர், மலைக் கோயிலில் உபயதாரர் மூலம் ரூ.4 கோடி செலவில் உற்சவர் சந்நிதியில் வெள்ளித்தகடு பணி, ராஜகோபுரம், மூலவர் விமானங்களை மின் ஒளிருட்டும் பணிகளை தொடங்கி வைத்தனர்.

முன்னதாக, பழனியாண்டவர் மகளிர் கலை கல்லூரியில் தேவஸ்தான நிர்வாகத்தின் கீழ் இயங்கும் பள்ளி, கல்லூரி மாணவர்களுக்கு இலவச கண் பரிசோதனை முகாம், கல்வி உபகரணங்கள் மற்றும் விடுதியில் தங்கி பயிலும் மாணவ, மாணவிகளுக்கு 3 வேளையும் கட்டணமில்லா உணவு வழங்கும் திட்டத்தை அமைச்சர்கள் தொடங்கி வைத்தனர்.

நிகழ்ச்சியை புறக்கணித்த எம்எல்ஏ: இந்நிகழ்ச்சியில், பழநி எம்எல்ஏ செந்தில்குமார், கோயில் இணை ஆணையர் மாரிமுத்து, உதவி ஆணையர் லட்சுமி உள்ளிட்டோர் கலந்து கொண்டனர். நிகழ்ச்சி முடிந்து வெளியே வந்த செந்தில்குமார் எம்எல்ஏ, ‘பழநி கிரிவலப்பாதையில் வணிகம் செய்ய விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள தடையால் சாலையோர வியாபாரிகளின் வாழ்வாதாரம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தற்போது ஐயப்ப சீசன் என்பதால் அவர்களின் வாழ்வாதாரத்தை பாதுகாக்க கிரிவலப்பாதையை ஒட்டியுள்ள சாலையில் வியாபாரம் செய்ய அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்’ என்று இணை ஆணையர் மாரிமுத்துவிடம் கூறினார். அதற்கு, இணை ஆணையர், ‘நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவு காரணமாக பக்தர்களுக்கு இடையூறாக வணிகம் செய்ய அனுமதிக்க முடியாது’ என்றார்.

அப்போது, எம்எல்ஏ.வுக்கும், இணை ஆணையருக்கும் இடையே காரசாரமான விவாதம் ஏற்பட்டது. இதனால் அப்பகுதியில் சிறிது நேரம் பரபரப்பு ஏற்பட்டது. ஆத்திரத்தில் பழநி மலைக்கோயில், கொடைக்கானல் குறிஞ்சியாண்டவர் கோயில் நிகழ்ச்சியில் பங்கேற்காமல் எம்எல்ஏ புறக்கணித்தார்.

அறுபடை வீடு ஆன்மிகப் பயணத் திட்டத்தில் பழநி முருகன் கோயிலுக்கு வந்த மூத்த குடிமக்கள் 200 பேரை அமைச்சர் பி.கே.சேகர்பாபு வரவேற்றார்.

கொடைக்கானலில் நாள் முழுவதும் அன்னதானம்: கொடைக்கானலில் உள்ள குறிஞ்சியாண்டவர் கோயில் 1936-ம் ஆண்டு ஆங்கிலயேர் ஒருவரால் கட்டப்பட்டது. பழநி தண்டாயுதபாணி சுவாமி கோயிலின் உப கோயிலான இக்கோயிலுக்கு உள்ளூர் பக்தர்கள் மட்டுமின்றி சுற்றுலா பயணிகள், வெளிநாட்டினர் அதிகளவில் வருகின்றனர்.

அதனால் கோயில் நடை தினமும் காலை 6.30 மணிக்கு திறக்கப்பட்டு, இரவு 7.30 மணி வரை நடை சாத்தப்படாமல் திறந்தே இருக்கும். நண்பகல் 12 மணிக்கு உச்சிக்கால பூஜையும், இரவு 7.30 மணிக்கு சாயரட்ஜை பூஜையும் நடைபெறும். கடந்த 2002 செப்.15-ம் தேதி முதல் தினமும் 100 பக்தர்களுக்கு அன்னதானம் வழங்கப்படுகிறது.

இந்நிலையில், 2025-26-ம் ஆண்டு இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறையின் மானிய கோரிக்கை அறிவிப்பை செயல்படுத்தும் விதமாக கொடைக்கானல் குறிஞ்சியாண்டவர் கோயிலில் நாள் முழுவதும் அன்னதானம் மற்றும் அன்னதானத்துடன் வடை, பாயாசம் வழங்கும் திட்டத்தை, அறநிலையத்துறை அமைச்சர் பி.கே.சேகர்பாபு இன்று (டிச.8) தொடங்கி வைத்தார்.

இந்நிகழ்ச்சியில், அறநிலையத்துறை ஆணையர் ஸ்ரீதர், கோயில் இணை ஆணையர் மாரிமுத்து, உதவி ஆணையர் லட்சுமி, கண்காணிப்பாளர் சொர்ணம், கொடைக்கானல் வட்டாட்சியர் பாபு மற்றும் அறங்காவலர்கள் கலந்து கொண்டனர். இதனை தொடர்ந்து, கொடைக்கானல் அருகேயுள்ள பூம்பாறை குழந்தை வேலப்பர் கோயிலில் ரூ.1.85 கோடியில் 3 நிலைகளுடன் கூடிய ராஜகோபுரத்தின் கட்டுமானம் மற்றும் கோயில் திருப்பணிகளை அமைச்சர் நேரில் ஆய்வு செய்தார்.

Indian Deaf Cricket Association Team wins T20 series 3-0 against Dubai’s IWDD

15.12.2025

IDCA Team achieved a comprehensive victory in the three-match T20 series with strong performances across all departments against the Inclusive Warriors Deaf Dubai (IWDD) team at Sharjah's DCS YOU SELECTS Arena.

In the opening match on December 11, IDCA scored a formidable 212 for 5 after choosing to bat, before bowling out IWDD for 123 in 17.2 overs to secure an emphatic 89-run victory. Santosh Kumar Mahapatra was named Player of the Match for his crucial contribution to the dominant win.

The second T20 on December 12 saw IWDD bat first and score 134 for 8, but IDCA chased down the target with ease, reaching 139 for 2 in just 11.3 overs to secure an eight-wicket victory. Once again, Santosh Kumar Mahapatra received the Player of the Match award for his match-winning performance.

The third and final T20 on December 13 followed a similar pattern, with IDCA batting first to score 187 for 4 after IWDD chose to field. The bowlers then dominated as IWDD were dismissed for 124 in 18 overs, giving IDCA a comfortable 63-run victory. Virender Singh was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.

At the end of the series, Santosh Kumar Mahapatra was named Best Batsman, Virender Singh earned the Best Bowler and Player of the Series awards, and Vaibhav Paranjpe was recognised as the Best Fielder, marking a strongly dominant series for the IDCA Team.

Praising the team's effort, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, “IDCA is really proud of the team and how they have performed here against the IWDD team. The performance here shows how dedicated the players are to cricket and the country they represent. I also like to thank all the partners and sponsors of IDCA who have always had our back, and it is only because of their constant support that the team is performing so well.”

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)

Zomato film highlights dignity of work among hearing-impaired partners

15.12.2025

What You Need to Know Online movie streaming services

Zomato's new film celebrates its 1,000+ hearing/speech-impaired delivery partners, urging customer empathy through simple acts like sign language. Separately, WOTR, with Walmart Foundation, trains rural women as drone pilots for climate-smart farming. Both initiatives highlight inclusive growth and empowerment by combining technology with empathy in diverse settings.

India’s food delivery platform Zomato has released a poignant new film celebrating the resilience, dignity, and everyday courage of its hearing and speech-impaired delivery partners, while underscoring how simple acts of kindness can make a powerful difference.

Launched to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the film follows the journey of Rakesh, one among more than 1,000 hearing and speech-impaired delivery partners currently working with Zomato. Through his story, the film sheds light on the silent challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the gig economy—and the quiet strength with which they navigate them daily.

A story of resilience on the road

The film captures Rakesh as he goes about his routine deliveries, negotiating traffic, navigating locations, and fulfilling orders with professionalism, despite his hearing impairment. While customers often leave words of appreciation through the app, the film poignantly shows how this gratitude does not always reach him in a way he can truly experience.

This emotional gap forms the heart of the narrative.

The turning point comes in the film’s closing moments, when a young customer uses sign language to thank Rakesh for his delivery. The gesture is prompted by a simple sign-language tutorial available on the Zomato customer app—designed to help users express gratitude more inclusively.

The brief exchange, silent yet deeply expressive, highlights how small, thoughtful interventions can foster empathy and human connection.

Advancing inclusion in the gig economy

According to Zomato, as of October 2025, the platform has onboarded over 5,000 persons with disabilities (PwDs) as delivery partners across India. This includes more than 1,000 partners with hearing and speech impairments, reflecting a conscious effort to make the gig economy more inclusive.

By integrating accessibility features and awareness tools into its app, Zomato aims to create an ecosystem where delivery partners feel seen, respected, and valued—not just as workers, but as individuals.

Such initiatives resonate strongly in urban centres like Bengaluru, where app-based delivery services form a vital part of everyday life and where conversations around inclusive employment are gaining momentum.

Small gestures, lasting impact

The film also carries a broader message for customers: inclusion does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, learning a few signs or acknowledging someone in a way they can fully perceive can make all the difference.

In doing so, the campaign encourages users to go beyond ratings and tips, and engage with delivery partners as fellow human beings—an idea that aligns closely with evolving conversations around dignity of labour in India’s rapidly expanding platform economy.

Rural women trained as drone pilots for climate-smart farming

In another initiative highlighting inclusion and empowerment, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), a non-profit focused on rural development and climate-resilient agriculture, has partnered with the Walmart Foundation to train rural women as professional drone pilots.
Online movie streaming services

The programme aims to place women at the centre of agricultural innovation, equipping them with technical skills while promoting gender equity and sustainable farming practices.

Technology-led empowerment at the grassroots

Under the initiative, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are supported to purchase agricultural drones for collective use. With funding from the Walmart Foundation, women from rural communities are trained to operate these drones for precision spraying, crop monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

The model not only reduces input costs and improves efficiency for farmers, but also creates new livelihood opportunities for women—traditionally excluded from technology-intensive roles in agriculture.

From Maharashtra to a national vision

The project was initially launched in Jalna and Dharashiv districts of Maharashtra under the ProRISE project. Encouraged by early success, WOTR plans to expand the initiative to other parts of the country, including regions vulnerable to climate stress and agrarian distress.

By combining climate resilience with women-led technological adoption, the programme offers a scalable blueprint for inclusive rural development.

Inclusion as a shared responsibility

Together, these two initiatives—from urban delivery platforms to rural farmlands—underscore a common theme: inclusive growth thrives when technology is paired with empathy.

Whether it is a customer learning sign language to thank a delivery partner, or a rural woman piloting a drone over her community’s fields, these stories reflect a quiet but transformative shift in how inclusion is being reimagined across India.

Deaf-Mute Woman from Government Shelter Married to Hardware Shop Worker in Kota

11.12.2025
A deaf and mute woman residing in a government shelter home for women was married to a hardware shop worker on Thursday. Reena, who was born with disabilities, was found destitute 13 years ago with her daughter and has since lived at a women's home on Nanta Road in Kota, according to Savita Krishniya, a joint director at the social justice and empowerment department.

Reena's wedding to Dharmraj was attended by several notable figures, including local MLA Sandeep Sharma, Geeta Choudhary from the district legal service authority, Kota municipal corporation commissioner O P Mehara, and Krishniya. Sharma presented the couple with a cheque of Rs 5 lakh under the Sukhad Dampatiya Yojna. Additionally, they received Rs 1 as a gift and a fixed deposit of Rs 51,000.

Marriage Arranged Through Advertisement

Dharmraj hails from Jhalawar district and currently works as a technician at a hardware shop in Kota. He was selected as the groom by a committee led by ADM, Kota, after responding to a newspaper advertisement seeking marriage proposals. The selection process ensured that Reena would have a supportive partner. Krishniya highlighted Reena's exceptional memory and her skills in various handicrafts. She is an accomplished tailor and embroiderer and also serves as a yoga trainer for girls at the shelter home. Her talents have been nurtured during her stay at the facility, providing her with valuable skills for her future.

Community Support for Wedding 

The Kinnar Samaj sponsored catering for the wedding and gifted Reena a gold ring, according to Krishniya. This gesture demonstrated community support for Reena's new beginning. Anshul Mehandiratta, superintendent of the home, expressed pride in Reena's accomplishments, stating, "Hamari Reena Sarv Gun Sampan."

Mehandiratta also mentioned that three other women from the same shelter home had previously married and are content in their marriages. This reflects the positive outcomes of such initiatives aimed at providing stable futures for women in similar circumstances. The event marked another successful marriage facilitated by the shelter home, highlighting the efforts of local authorities and community members in supporting women like Reena to lead fulfilling lives. The collaborative approach ensures that these women receive not only care but also opportunities for personal growth and happiness.

New Guidelines for OTT Accessibility Launched for the Visually and Hearing Impaired

12.12.2025
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken a significant step towards inclusivity by releasing draft guidelines aimed at enhancing accessibility on Online Curated Content (OTT) platforms for individuals with hearing and visual impairments. Announced for public consultation on October 7, 2025, these guidelines underscore India’s commitment to upholding constitutional rights and international standards for persons with disabilities.

The new draft guidelines are crafted in line with Article 14 of the Constitution, fulfilling India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016. Additionally, they align with the Code of Ethics stipulated in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, introduced on February 25, 2021, under the IT Act, 2000.

The primary objective of these guidelines is to make audio-visual content on OTT platforms accessible to those with hearing and visual disabilities. To facilitate this, a two-phase implementation schedule has been outlined, ensuring a structured approach to accessibility.

Previous Efforts and Implementation Phases

Prior to this announcement, the Ministry had already laid down Accessibility Standards for Television Programmes aimed at the Hearing Impaired on September 11, 2019. Part 12 of these standards emphasizes a gradual approach to the rollout of access services, starting with public broadcasters such as Prasar Bharati, followed by private broadcasters and news outlets.

Government’s Engagement with Legislators

This initiative was brought to the attention of the Rajya Sabha by Dr. L. Murugan, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. He provided insights in response to inquiries from members Smt. Sangeeta Yadav, Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni, and Shri Deepak Prakash, highlighting the government’s proactive measures in ensuring equal access to media content.

The draft guidelines represent a pivotal move towards fostering a more inclusive digital landscape in India, where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the diverse range of content available on OTT platforms.

Govt releases draft OTT accessibility norms for hearing and visually impaired users

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) The government has issued draft guidelines to make audio‑visual content on online curated content platforms (OTT platforms) accessible to persons with hearing and visual impairment, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L Murugan, told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued draft guidelines for ‘Accessibility of Content on Platforms of Publishers of Online Curated Content (OTT Platforms)’ for public consultation on October 7, 2025.

The guidelines provided for a two‑phase implementation schedule, the official statement said.

The guidelines were published keeping in view constitutional guarantees under Article 14, India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Code of Ethics under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the minister said.

The ministry noted that it had earlier issued Accessibility Standards for Persons with Disabilities in Television Programmes for the hearing impaired on September 11, 2019.

Part 12 of those standards prescribed a phased roll‑out of access services, beginning with the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and followed by private broadcasters and private news broadcasters.

India’s entertainment and media industry will grow from $32.2 billion in 2024 to $47.2 billion by 2029 at a 7.8 per cent compound annual growth rate, nearly twice the global average of 4.2 per cent, a report said on Friday.

The growth will be driven by rising digital participation, a large youth population, expanding broadband access, and deeper online content consumption, the report from PwC India said.

These factors are reshaping audience behaviour across formats and creating opportunities for platforms, advertisers, and creators, the report said.

The firm forecasted the over‑the‑top (OTT) streaming revenues to grow from $2.27 billion in 2024 to $3.47 billion by 2029, supported by regional content, direct-to-consumer models, and an expanding subscriber base.