Indore: 9 hearing impaired students to perform in Mauritius

They can't hear or talk, but their determination to overcome odds has made the world see and listen to them.

Nine hearing impaired students of Mook Badhir Sangathan of Indore will showcase their music and dance talent at an international platform.

The students — Manali Dangi, Radha Tharad, Phulmati Lamoriya, Jayanti Bhavasar, Bhagyaprakash Sharma, Ankit Vishwakarma, Sunil Patidar, Ravi Parekh and Sapan Jain — will represent India at the India-Mauritius Cultural Exchange programme, to be held in Mauritius on Friday.

The programme will be organised by the Federation of Disabled People's Organisation, Mauritius. The students will be performing seven to eight cultural acts at the three-day event.

These include solo and group dances, musical performances, mime act and a skit on how mobile phones have become an inseparable part of our lives.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Monica Punjabi Verma of Mook Badhir Sangathan said, "Programmes like these are a great source of encouragement for the physically challenged. It provides them with a platform to prove that they are no less talented and boosts their confidence."

The students have been selected to represent the country in Mauritius on the basis of their talent by the Delhi-based All India Deaf Art and Cultural Society.

They were supported by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.

It is not for the first time that the students will be performing at an international event.

"Not all students have performed internationally, but some among these nine have performed at Republic of Seychelles, an island nation, before.

In fact, all our students have showcased their talents at major cities of our country, namely Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad," said Monica, who has trained the children.

The students will be joined by their trainer Monica, interpreter Gaurav Verma and Rajkumar Punjabi. They will be returning to India on April 30.