Thursday, May 31, 2018
Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar Announces Free Cochlear Implant for Hearing Impaired Sikkimese Children
31.05.2018
New Delhi : The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar has promised that the centre would provide financial assistance worth Rs 6 Lakh for cochlear implant of all children with hearing impairment hailing from the economically weak sections of the Sikkimese society. He made the announcement after a group of hearing impaired and specially-abled school children gave a heart-warming performance in the opening ceremony of the ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ organised at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok today. He took a group photograph with the children and presented them with tokens of appreciation.Shri Gurjar directed the state officials present in the event to draw an inclusive list of children suffering hearing impairment and submit it to his ministry at the earliest.
The camp was organised by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India in collaboration with the district administration and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Sikkim with the main intent of distributing free-of cost ‘assisted living devices’ (ALD) to pre-identified beneficiaries of East Sikkim under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RBY).
A total of 794 beneficiaries were presented with ALDs ranging from wheelchairs, walking sticks, digital hearing aids, walking sticks ect. More than 200 beneficiaries were physically present in the function to receive the devices from the hands of the honourable MoS. The BDO offices will distribute the remaining devices within a week to their respective beneficiaries who could not make it to the camp.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gurjar appreciated Sikkim for making tremendous efforts in implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act adopted by the centre in 2016. “Earlier, the centre recognised only seven types of disabilities. Under the new law, people with 21 types of disabilities can avail benefits of government schemes meant for the disabled. Under the able leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan has been successfully launched all over the country. Since December 2015, when the campaign was launched, at least 100 buildings in 50 cities have been made disabled-friendly and Sikkim has pitched in considerably to make the effort fruitful.”
Shri Gurjar also stressed on the need for providing normal life facilitating assistance to the senior citizens whose age-related problems go unnoticed and uncared for. He urged the government of Sikkim to draw another list of senior citizens of poor background in need of assisted living devises while promising to conduct such free distribution camp in the near future as well. “Not a single beneficiary should be left out. It is our duty to take care of the senior citizens of this country and the government will leave no stone unturned to help them in every capacity,” the MoS said.
He proudly announced that the government has ensured local manufacture of advanced artificial limbs in collaboration with German and British manufacturers at the various manufacturing facilities of ALIMCO.
camp held at the Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok, was graced by Smt Tulsi Devi Rai, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim. In her address, the minister underscored the schemes undertaken by the government of Sikkim for the specially-abled and senior citizens. She informed that the state has been making concerted efforts to make buildings and public places barrier-free and that the centre’s help in the initiatives will go a long way in making the entire state of Sikkim disabled-friendly. “People with disabilities need our support, not sympathy,.
The camp was attended by Shri AK Shrivastava, Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Smt Dhan Jyoti Mukhia, Special Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Shri Surendra Singh Meena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Justice, Government of India, officials and staff members of ALIMCO, and advisors of Government of Sikkim and other dignitaries.
BRETT LEE WANTS MANDATORY HEARING SCREENING FOR NEWBORN BABIES IN INDIA
With about one lakh children born in India annually suffering from severe to profound hearing loss, former Australia cricketer Brett Lee on Wednesday urged the Indian Government to make hearing screening for newborn babies mandatory as "everybody deserves to hear the sounds of life".
The fast bowler, who is now Cochlear's Global Hearing Ambassador, was in the city's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to raise awareness about Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants bypass the damaged hair cells of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.
Lee is actively involved in raising awareness about hearing screening for newborn babies, more so after his son suffered a temporary hearing loss some time ago.
"No one in this world deserves to live in silence. People should know that hearing loss is treatable and that it should not prevent a person from leading an active, full life. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) can help address these issues early in life."
Deafness, according to the WHO refers to the complete loss of hearing ability in one or both ears, while "hearing impairment" refers to both complete and partial loss of hearing ability. Nearly 360 million people, nearly one-tenth of them children, suffer from hearing loss worldwide."About one lakh children born in India every year suffer from severe to profound hearing loss. Overall the figure may be 10 lakhs," Shalabh Sharma, ENT surgeon at the SGRH said.
Miss India Deaf 2018 Deshna Jain To Compete At Pageant in Taiwan
NEW DELHI: Miss India Deaf 2018 Deshna Jain will represent India at the international pageant in Taiwan. The 20-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh won the Miss India title after competing against 80 contestants from 20 states.
Ms Deshna will represent India at the 8th Miss and Mister Deaf International pageant at Taipei city, Taiwan from July 8 to July 16.
A student of Indore Deaf Bilingual Academy, Deshna Jain won the Miss India Deaf title at the seventh edition of the competition earlier this year in Jaipur.
The contest included a ramp walk in traditional and western attire followed by a talent and question-and-answer round.
"I am honoured that I will represent India at the international forum. It is a moment of immense pleasure and pride for me. I am geared up to give my best performance at the international pageant. The path to success especially for people like me is not an easy one but I am determined to bring a difference in the lives of people.
"I would like to thank my parents, especially my mother who always believed in me, supported me and encouraged me to chase my dreams," she said in a statement.
Ms Deshna belongs to Tikamgarh, a small town in Madhya Pradesh. She came for her studies to Bhopal at the young age of three and has been staying away from her family since then.
She wants to make a difference to society by being a face and the torchbearer for people with hearing disability. Her larger goal in life is to work for the betterment of young girls like her who can be trained, counselled and coached to study and build a career.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Farmers Plaza apologizes for conduct of guard towards deaf couple
The management of Farmers Plaza issued on Tuesday a statement apologizing for the “untoward conduct” of a security guard towards a deaf couple by denying them entry into the mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
“Farmers Plaza extends our sincerest apology for the inconvenience the incident has caused,” the statement said.
The incident happened at around 3 p.m. last May 15.
The guard drove away from the mall deaf couple Robelyn Arcangel and Emmanuel Bernardino, both graduates of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Deaf Education.
According to Arcangel, the guard kept cursing at them as he gestured for them to go away.
The couple did, but they were able to enter through another gate and report the incident to the mall management, which Arcangel said took swift action.
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
Following is the full statement issued by Farmers Plaza:
“Our company was founded with the vision of service to the greatest number of people from all walks of life. We have and will always continue to uphold this tradition as we build a community that welcomes all and discriminates no one.
“On May 26, 2018, a social media post alerted us of an incident in our mall wherein a security guard allegedly displayed untoward conduct towards two PWD customers. The matter was immediately escalated to the mall management for investigation. We took the necessary steps to address this issue, and reiterated to our personnel our commitment to offer high levels of service in any situation.
“We would like to assure our community members that we have programs in place to continue training our frontliners on customer relations.
“Farmers Plaza extends our sincerest apology for the inconvenience the incident has caused. We believe the PWDs are a vital part of our community, and as with all our customers, we endeavor to serve them to the best of our ability.”
Monday, May 28, 2018
Company penalised for not providing vacation vouchers to hearing impaired
A private company has been penalised by the consumer forum here for not providing vacation vouchers to a hearing impaired person and then not giving a refund of the money taken. Satinder Singh Rana, a resident of Sector 12, had approached the forum against Country Club India Limited and its division, Country Vacations.
As per the complaint, in April 2016, Rana met officials of the firm while filling petrol in his vehicle who gave him a voucher/coupon and asked him to visit the office of the firm as and when the lucky draw result would be out. He later received a call informing him of being the lucky winner and a scheme of Rs 1.45 lakh was being given for only Rs 26,000.
He was told that the duration of the scheme was 21 days and as and when he would visit the place, boarding, lodging and meal would be free for him. The amount was deposited and agreement was executed on April 21, 2016. Rana could not understand the terms and conditions being handicapped and hard of hearing, adds the complaint.
In June-July, 2016, Rana demanded the vouchers to enable a visit to the destination of his choice. However, an additional sum of Rs 9,500, tax for seven days, was demanded. Not ready to pay the same, Rana demanded a refund of his previous payment as well. However, the same was not done and Rana approached the forum.
The company in its reply stated that as per clauses in the agreement, the amount could not be refunded and thus, they had not duped the complainant in any way. The forum, however, observed that Rana had a 100 per cent hearing disability, which was on record and his wife also had a 40 per cent disability. The company on the other hand could not prove that the terms and conditions were explained to the couple satisfactorily.
The case was thus decided in the favour of Rana and the forum directed the company to immediately refund the amount of Rs 26,000. The company was also told to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, mental agony and harassment along with Rs 10,000 as costs of litigation.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Geeta, Deaf and Mute Girl Returned From Pakistan Gets 25 Marriage Proposals Shortlisted by MEA
24.05.2018
Geeta, an Indian origin girl deaf and mute girls had spent years in Pakistan and returned to India in 2015. She was found alone on board the Samjhauta Express in Lahore, when she was just 7-8 years old. Geeta who currently resides at a special care in Indore is getting help from the Ministry of External Affairs to find a suitable match. The MEA has asked the Indore district authorities to show her the 25 marriage proposals the MEA shortlisted for her.There was a Facebook advertisement by a social activist put out in the month of April which got 50 responses from men for the proposal. The MEA has selected 25 of them with scrutiny as informed by panchayat chief executive officer Neha Meena said. "The district administration has been asked to arrange a meeting for Geeta with the men so that she can make a choice," she added. Geeta will be shown the pictures and biodata of all the 25 men.
Geeta is currently staying in a facility run by Muk-Badhir Sangathan, an NGO, in Indore. She is taken special care of by the Madhya Pradesh government's social justice department. Geeta, when returned to the country, was hopeful that she would find her parents but the government has not been successful yet. In fact, 10 couples claimed that Geeta is their missing daughter, however, none of them were able to prove the claim. While in Pakistan, Geeta was taken care of by Pakistan's charitable foundation Edhi Foundation.
Geeta shortlists 15 marriage proposals
INDORE: Deaf and mute Geeta on Wednesday shortlisted 15 marriage proposals and put up a condition that the groom will have to take a vow during the marriage ceremony to help in search for her parents.
Geeta, who was brought from Pakistan after she wandered into the foreign country 14 years ago, sifted through 26 proposals of suitable matches shortlisted by ministry of foreign affairs.
“At the time of shortlisting bio-data of the candidates, who have responded to a matrimonial ad, she said her first condition is that prospective groom will have to take a vow (athwa phera) during the marriage to help in search for her parents,” sign language expert Gyanendra Purohit said on Wednesday.
“Out of 15 candidates shortlisted by Geeta, seven are deaf and mute while one is disabled from leg. Remaining seven candidates don’t have any disability. These candidates are mostly from MP, UP, Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are involved in jobs like - IT professional and businessmen,” Purohit, who worked as interpreter for Geeta during her initial days back in India, said. An author from Gujarat is among the 15 shortlisted candidates, who is writing a book on life of a disabled girl. Purohit said, Geeta has put up a condition for shortlisted candidates without disability to complete a diploma course in sign-language before marrying her.
“We will also seek police verification report of the shortlisted candidates,” said sign-language expert, adding that all 15 bio-data will be sent to the ministry for taking their consent.
Purohit said that during a recent meeting of Geeta and Sushma Swaraj in Delhi, the deaf-mute girl had expressed her wish to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ஊனத்தை நொறுக்கி தள்ளிய காது கேளாதோர் மற்றும் வாய் பேச முடியாத மாணவர்கள்.. 10-ம் வகுப்பில் சதமடித்து சாதனை!
25.05.2018
கோவை: பத்தாம் வகுப்பு தேர்வு பாடத்தில் நூற்றுக்கு நூறு மதிப்பெண்கள் எடுத்து, ஊனம் என்பது கல்விக்கு எப்போதும் தடையில்லை என்பதை நிரூபித்து உள்ளனர் கோவை மாநகராட்சி பள்ளியில் படித்த காது கேளாதோர் மற்றும் வாய் பேச முடியாத மாணவர்கள்.
கோவையை அடுத்த ஆர் எஸ் புரம் பகுதியில் உள்ள கோவை மாநகராட்சியின் காது கேளாதோர் மற்றும் வாய் பேச முடியாத பத்தாம் வகுப்பு தேர்வு எழுதிய ஏழு பேர் தேர்ச்சி அடைந்து உள்ளனர்.
சைகை மொழியே சொந்தம்
கை கொடுத்த கடின உழைப்பு
சைகை மொழியே சொந்தம்
தேர்ச்சி அடைந்து உள்ளனர் என்பது இவர்களுக்கு சாதாரண காரியமாக இல்லாத போதிலும், இதற்கும் மேலாக இருந்து, கணித பாடத்தில் அனைத்து மாணவர்களும் நூற்றுக்கு நூறு மதிப்பெண்கள் எடுத்து சாதித்து உள்ளனர். சைகை மொழி மட்டுமே தனக்கே உரித்த பாணியில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளையும் சாதனையாக கடந்து வரும் இந்த மாணவிகள் மேலும் தற்போது ஒரு படி சாதனையை உயர்த்தி காண்பித்து உள்ளனர்.
கை கொடுத்த கடின உழைப்பு
மற்ற பாடங்களை காட்டிலும் கணித பாடத்தை இந்த மாணவர்கள் புரிந்து கொள்ள பல கடினங்களை சந்தித்து வந்தாலும், கடின உழைப்பாலும் ஆசிரியர்கள் மற்றும் பெற்றோர்களின் ஆதரவாலும் இந்த மதிப்பெண்ணை எடுத்துக் காட்டி உள்ளனர். பல காரணங்களால் சில நாட்கள் வீட்டில் முடக்கி வைத்து இருந்த தனது பிள்ளையை இதுபோன்ற ஒரு பள்ளியில் படிக்க வைத்தது தற்போது பெருமை அளிப்பதாகவும் இவரை போன்று உள்ள குழந்தைகளை அனைத்து பெற்றோர்களின் கல்வி அளிக்க வேண்டும் எனவும் வேண்டுகோள் வைக்கின்றனர்.
பெருமைப்படும் ஆசிரியர்கள்
பெருமைப்படும் ஆசிரியர்கள்
சாதாரண மாணவர்களை விட இதுபோன்று சிறப்பு மாணவர்களுக்கு தனி கவனத்துடன், பல்வேறு இடர் பாடுகளுடன் பாடங்களை கற்பித்து வருவதாகவும், இருப்பினும் இவர்களின் தேர்ச்சி தங்களுக்கு பெருமையை அளிப்பதாக உள்ளதாக கூறுகின்றனர் ஆசிரியர்கள். இதனால் மற்ற காது கேளாத, மற்றும் வாய் பேச முடியாதவர்களுக்கு மாணவிகளின் இந்த மதிப்பெண்கள் ஒரு எடுத்துக்காட்டாக அமையும் என்று நம்பிக்கையுடன் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.
அரசின் உதவி தேவை
அரசின் உதவி தேவை
காது கேளாதோர் மற்றும் வாய் பேச முடியாத மாணவர்கள் ஒவ்வொருவரும் பல இன்னல்களுக்கு இடையே இந்த பொதுத் தேர்வை எழுதுவதாகவும், இருப்பினும் இந்த மாணவர்களுக்காக அரசு தேர்வு எழுதுவதில் சில சலுகைகளை அளிக்க வேண்டும் என கோரிக்கை வைக்கின்றனர்.தற்போது இந்த மணாவர்கள் பத்தாம் வகுப்பு தேர்வில் வெற்றி பெற்று இருந்தாலும் , அடுத்த மேல் படிப்பிற்காக அரசு உதவி செய்ய வேண்டும் என்ற கோரிக்கையையும் பெற்றோர்கள் முன் வைக்கின்றனர்.
வாய் பேசா பெண் கீதாவை திருமணம் செய்ய 50 பேர் போட்டா போட்டி
25.05.2018
இந்துார்: பாக்.,கில் இருந்து, இந்தியா திரும்பிய, காது கேளாத, வாய் பேச முடியாத இளம் பெண், கீதாவை திருமணம் செய்வதற்கு விருப்பம் தெரிவித்த, 50 பேரில், தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட, 25 பேரை சந்திக்க ஏற்பாடு செய்யும்படி, வெளியுறவு அமைச்சகம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.தன், 9 வயதில், பெற்றோரை பிரிந்து, ரயில் ஏறி, லாகூர் சென்ற, காது கேளாத, வாய் பேச முடியாத சிறுமியை, தன்னார்வலர் ஒருவர் தத்தெடுத்து, 'கீதா' என்று பெயரிட்டு வளர்த்தார்.மூன்று ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன், இந்தியா வந்த கீதா, மத்திய வெளியுறவு துறை அமைச்சர், சுஷ்மா சுவராஜ் உதவியுடன், பெறோரை தேடி வருகிறார்.
தற்போது, 25 வயதாகும் கீதா, மத்திய பிரதேச மாநிலம், இந்துாரில் உள்ள, காது கேளாத, வாய் பேசாத சிறுமியருக்கான ஆதரவு இல்லத்தில் தங்கிஉள்ளார்.பெற்றோரை கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியாததால் மன அழுத்தத்தில் உள்ள கீதாவுக்கு, திருமணம் செய்ய, அமைச்சர் சுஷ்மா முடிவு செய்தார்.
இதுகுறித்து, 'பேஸ்புக்' சமூக வலைதளத்தில், அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டது. அதில், கீதாவை திருமணம் செய்பவருக்கு, அரசு வேலை, வீடு வழங்கப்படும் என குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதையடுத்து, கீதாவை திருமணம் செய்ய, 50 பேர் விருப்பம் தெரிவித்தனர். அவர்களில், 25 பேரை, வெளியுறவு அமைச்சகம் தேர்ந்தெடுத்துள்ளது.
தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டோர் விபரங்களை, இந்துார் நகர நிர்வாகத்துக்கு அனுப்பிய வெளியுறவு அமைச்சகம், அவர்கள் அனைவரையும், கீதா சந்திக்க ஏற்பாடு செய்யும்படி கூறியுள்ளது. அவர்களில், தான் விரும்பும் ஆணுடன், கீதாவுக்கு திருமணம் செய்து வைக்க திட்டமிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.
கோவை கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்தின் அலட்சியம்.. காது கேளாத முதியவர் இரவு வரை உணவின்றி காத்துகிடந்த அவலம்!
25.05.2018
கோவை: கோவை மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்தில் மனு அளிக்க வந்த காது கேளாத 85 வயது முதியவரை அதிகாரிகள் காத்திருக்க கூறிய நிலையில் இரவு வரை உணவின்றி காத்திருந்த அவலம் அரங்கேறியுள்ளது.
கோவை மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்தில் வாரம்தோறும் திங்கள் கிழமைகளில் மனு நீதி நாள் முகாம் நடைபெறும். அந்நாட்களில் மாவட்டம் முழுவதிலுமிருந்து பொதுமக்கள் தங்கள் குறைகளை மனுக்களாக ஆட்சியர் மற்றும் சம்மந்தப்பட்ட துறை அதிகாரிகளிடம் வழங்குவர்.
இந்த நிலையில் நேற்று மனு நீதி நாளை முன்னிட்டு கோவை சோமனூர் அடுத்த ஊஞ்சம்பாளையம் பகுதியை சேர்ந்த 85 வயது முதியவரான போஜராஜன் என்பவர் முதியோர் உதவி தொகை பெறுவதற்காக கோவை மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்திற்கு வந்தார். மனு நீதி நாள் முகாமில் தனது மனுவையும் அளித்துள்ளார். மனுவை பரிசீலித்த அதிகாரிகள் நாளைய தினம் (இன்று) வட்டாட்சியர் வந்த பிறகு தான் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க முடியும் எனவும் நாளை வரவும் எனவும் கூறியுள்ளனர்.
இந்த நிலையில் நேற்று மனு நீதி நாளை முன்னிட்டு கோவை சோமனூர் அடுத்த ஊஞ்சம்பாளையம் பகுதியை சேர்ந்த 85 வயது முதியவரான போஜராஜன் என்பவர் முதியோர் உதவி தொகை பெறுவதற்காக கோவை மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்திற்கு வந்தார். மனு நீதி நாள் முகாமில் தனது மனுவையும் அளித்துள்ளார். மனுவை பரிசீலித்த அதிகாரிகள் நாளைய தினம் (இன்று) வட்டாட்சியர் வந்த பிறகு தான் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க முடியும் எனவும் நாளை வரவும் எனவும் கூறியுள்ளனர்.
ஆனால் தனக்கு சிறுநீரக பிரச்சினை இருப்பதாக முதியவர் கூறியதை தொடர்ந்து, அங்கேயே காத்திருந்து ஓய்வூதியம் பெற்று செல்லுமாறும் கூறியுள்ளனர்.
இதையடுத்து அதிகாரிகள் தனக்கு ஓய்வூதியம் வழங்குவார்கள் என நம்பி இரவு 9 மணி வரை ஆட்சியர்அலுவலகத்தின் ஒரு பகுதியில் முதியவர் காத்துக் கொண்டே இருந்தார். முதியவர் நீண்ட நேரம் அங்கிருப்பதை கண்ட அங்கிருந்த பத்திரிக்கையாளர்கள் சிலர் காரணம் கேட்டறிந்தனர். பின்னர் அவரது விலாசத்தை பெற்று அவரின் மகனிடம் முதியவரை ஒப்படைத்தனர்.
உதவி கேட்டு வரும் பொதுமக்களை அரசு அதிகாரிகள் காக்க வைப்பதும் அலைக்கழிப்பதும் வாடிக்கையாகிவிட்டது. தள்ளாத வயதிலுள்ள காது கேளாத முதியவரை காத்திருக்க வைத்த அதிகாரி யார் என கண்டறிந்து நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும் என்ற கோரிக்கை வலுவாக எழுந்துள்ளது.
110 specially-abled children examined
More than 110 specially-abled children from across the district were examined and treated at District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) during a free medical camp in the past three days.
Children with congenital deaf and dumbness and those with hearing impairment were accompanied by their parents to the centre to avail free treatment. As many as 41 specially-abled children were treated on Wednesday, 27 children on Thursday and 50 children were treated on Friday.
The District Early Intervention Centre, an initiative of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was introduced at Bathinda Civil Hospital in 2015. The centre provides free medical treatment for 30 diseases including defects during birth, deficiencies, childhood diseases, developmental delay, congenital heart diseases and disability to children in the age group of 1 to 18 years.
Meanwhile, parents as well as handicapped children faced trouble when they were asked to visit main OPD unit of civil hospital for medical tests. The centre lacks in basic diagnostic tools or medical infrastructure and shortage of staff often compel doctor here to refer patients to other districts or out of state.
The Tribune has highlighted the matter on several occasions in the past but authorities have not ensured any concrete action in the matter.
The state government has failed to recruit staff members including a paediatrician, dentist, physiotherapist, audiologist, psychologist, optometrist, two lab technicians and a data entry operator.
Treatment was given free of cost
Children with congenital deaf and dumbness and those with hearing impairment were accompanied by their parents to the centre to avail free treatment. As many as 41 specially-abled children were treated on Wednesday, 27 children on Thursday and 50 on Friday.
Deaf, mute girl raped in Uttar Pradesh
The incident took place on Wednesday when the girl was alone at her house, police officer Munishwar said.
He said that an FIR was registered on the complaint of the girl's father. The girl has been sent for medical examination, the officer said.
Efforts are on to arrest the culprit, he said.
Friday, May 25, 2018
If I can do this, anybody can, says Bengaluru biker
“If I can complete this journey, anybody can do it,” said 33-year-old deaf and mute biker Archana Timmaraju, with the help of an interpreter, during her stopover at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on way back to her hometown Bengaluru from Ladakh. She started the 8,000 km-long journey from Bengaluru to Ladakh and back with her colleague Daniel Sundaram on April 29 and likely to complete it by May 29.
The biker received a warm welcome from 20 hearing-impaired Chandigarh residents, with whom she shared her experience. “The idea for this ride came with a vision of a whole new world for the deaf and those who find it hard to hear, to bring inclusion of such people in the society,” said Timmaraju, an arts and metal sculpture teacher at Mallya Aditi International School, Bengaluru.
Timmaraju, who has a BFA and MFA degrees, sees this journey as an effort to explore the self and share her experience with the society.
“Teaching arts and metal sculpture at school gives me the freedom to express my thoughts. Same goes for travelling. A friend gave me his old RX 100 in 2006 and I would ride it in the neighbourhood. Later, I started riding near Bengaluru. When I am on the bike, I see roads as part of my dream to travel and share whatever thoughts I have with people,” shared Timmaraju.
Timmaraju got her first experience of riding when a friend gave her his Yamaha RX 100 bike to her in 2006. Timaraju started riding with other bikers in Bengaluru and started her company Silent Expedition to create more opportunities for the hearing-impaired to explore the world.
Timmaraju was also all praise for Chandigarh. “Chandigarh roads seem good for bike riding and that is the only comfort we had during the last 15 days.”
She added after they started from Timkur, Bengaluru, they had been hosted by various riding clubs and members of hearing-impaired communities in cities like Davangere, Belgaum, Thane, Vapi, Vadodara and Udaipur. “It was an overwhelming experience for me,” Timmaraju told Chandigarh Newsline.
Co-founder of Silent Expedition Sundaram believes that Timmaraju’s journey will inspire the hearing-impaired community to explore India and help the society understand the challenges faced by such people. “When we started, the first day we dropped our bags after 50 km. The residents of the village, where we dropped our bags, called us and returned the bags. Later, Archana addressed specially-abled kids at Navsari in Gujarat. Some students even requested her to teach them riding. At some places, we have been hosted for free. Driving in cold temperatures in Ladakh was the challenge, but Archana faced it,” shared Sundaram, a geography teacher.
Free cochlear implant surgery done on 2 kids
In the state’s first free cochlear implant surgery, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital (GGSMCH), Faridkot, on Thursday implanted these electronic devices in two children from the low-income families. A cochlear implant (CI) provides a sense of sound to a person with severe to profound sensorneural hearing loss in both ears.
While such procedures normally cost around Rs 10 lakh but these surgeries have been performed for free here under a scheme- Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP)- sponsored by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Congratulating the ENT department in the medical college for this first free implant surgery, Dr Raj Bahadur, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, said both children had hearing impairment since birth and had not learnt to speak (known as deaf and dumb). With the cochlear implant these children will be able to hear and after further rehabilitation, they will soon be able to speak also.
Dr Rajiv Joshi, medical superintendent of the college, said besides these two cases, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has given its approval for four more cochlear implant surgeries.
Dreaming to build a career in architecture
By: Gayatri Vasudevan
Neither her hearing impairment nor her troubled family background could stop I Taseenfrom emerging the topper in Little Flower Convent School for the Deaf. Expressing a keen interest to draw, Taseen, who secured 83%, has set her sights on being an architect.
Having never seen her father, who left home when before she was born, for Taseen it is her mother, K Tabassum who is her world. “I am still unsure of when she had lost her hearing. As a child, she used to smile, but never respond when I called her, and I assumed it was normal. It was when she attended kindergarten in a regular school that I learned she had a hearing impairment. The teachers of the school were supportive and they encouraged her to perform well,” says Tabassum, who adds that Taseen was a class topper all through. “She is a brilliant student and I think it is the desire to support her mother that motivates her to work harder. There are times that she feels upset when she doesn’t do as well as she wants, but through periodic counselling, we are helping her to overcome her fear of failure,” says her science teacher J E Usha.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Rs 25 lakh for hearing-impaired inmate of Nari Niketan rape victim
The state high court on Wednesday directed the state government to pay compensation to the tune of Rs 25 lakh to the hearing-impaired inmate of Nari Niketan who was raped and forced to abort the baby in 2016. A PIL came up before Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice SK Sharma in connection with the condition of the inmates in Nari Neketan, especially in the light of rape and forced abortion and sexual exploitation of the inmates of Nari Niketan in Dehradun.
The judges recommended that a bank account be opened in the name of the inmate in which the compensation amount or pension could be credited every month. The judgment not only awarded compensation to the victim but also sought to address the broader issue of upkeep of shelter homes, observation homes set by the government or NGOs for children in need of care, directing the state government to follow the provisions laid down under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016.
Directions were also issued to the District Sessions Judge to conclude the sessions in the pending trial of the inmate who was raped within a period of six months by, “holding the trial on day-to-day basis.” Significantly, the trial in the rape case that began in 2016 is still pending.
The court also issued directions to the state government to establish and maintain, by itself or through voluntary or non-government organizations, open shelters in each district as per the requirement registered under Rule 22 for children who require care.
NIVH case: FIR ordered
The court also took cognisance of the matter (based on a letter written to the judge by the guardian of the victim) pertaining to the National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH) where a visually challenged student was allegedly sexually exploited by his teacher. The DGP was directed to register an FIR against Ramesh Chandra Kashyap, music teacher of the NIVH and also complete the inquiry within three weeks. The NIVH management was also directed to suspend the teacher within immediate effect.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Deaf-mute woman raped in Sikanderpur
GURUGRAM: A 47-year-old woman, who is deaf and mute, and a widow, was allegedly raped by a 26-year-old man on Sunday night when she stepped out of her rented accommodation in Sikanderpur to use the common toilet in the premise. An FIR has been registered but no arrests have been made yet.
The woman could not raise the alarm at the time of the incident, but later used sign language to explain to a neighbour what had happened. The neighbour took her to the women’s police station.
After a medical examination confirming rape, an FIR was registered under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC at women’s police station.
Police said the woman,originally from West Bengal, was staying with her mother in a rented accommodation which didn’t have a toilet.
The premise has common toilets shared by all occupants there, police said.
Divya Vaishnava, director of Bachche Unki Duniya (BUD) Foundation, who interacted with the woman, said, “We helped frame questions in Bengali for the woman’s neighbour, with whom she was comfortable communicating.”
The woman, through the neighbour, said in her complaint that she had gone to use the common toilet at around 11.30pm, when the accused, who is also from West Bengal and lives in the same premises, caught her by the hair, covered her mouth and took her to his room, where he raped her. He allegedly fled after committing the crime.
No arrests have been made so far, police said, adding that they will catch the accused soon.
Pakistan-returned deaf-mute Geeta set to get married soon
22.05.2018
INDORE: Pakistan-returned deaf and speech impaired girl, Geeta is all set to meet prospective grooms, but under the watch of district officials.After receiving an overwhelming response to a ‘matrimonial ad’, posted on Facebook seeking for a ‘smart, deaf-mute boy’ for Geeta, the ministry of external affairs has shortlisted some candidates and directed the Indore district administration to organize her meeting with the prospective grooms.
“We received around 60 proposals. They are mostly from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. They had been sent to the ministry, where the officials concerned shortlisted some candidates, and asked the district collector, Nishant Warwade to organize their meeting with Geeta,” Indore-based sign language expert Gyanendra Purohit said.
Purohit, who worked as interpreter for Geeta during her initial days back in India, had posted the ‘matrimonial ad’ after he claimed to have received consent from the ministry.
‘Geeta’s marriage will be organized by govt’
Purohit said, “Geeta’s priorities include a smart and good looking deaf-mute boy, who has good command over sign-language. Her preference is for an established person, whose religion should be Hindu.”
He added, the external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj has said Geeta is India’s daughter and her marriage will be organized by the government. “We have received about 22-25 shortlisted bio data from the ministry. The same will be shown to Geeta and whom she will select, will be given a call and opportunity to meet her,” zila panchayat CEO, Neha Meena told TOI.
The date and place to hold a meeting of Geeta and the shortlisted candidates are yet to be finalized, she said. “With the help of zila panchayat, the social justice department and the NGOs helping in the matter, we are preparing a timetable to organize a meeting of the shortlisted candidates and Geeta. Every step will be taken with the prospective bride’s consent” Warwade said.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Deaf, mute man who vandalized dargahs arrested
Rajkot: A deaf and mute man was arrested for vandalizing and desecrating dargahs at various places across Kutch district on Thursday.
Police arrested the accused identified as Jusab Traya from his residence in Nangiyari village of Naliya taluka in Kutch district.
The officials of local crime branch (LCB) of Bhuj police have been searching for the accused who had desecrated and vandalized dargahs recently. The accused used to write obscene messages on the walls of the dargahs. Meanwhile, the cops received an information that somebody had written an obscene message on the wall of a dairy in Nangiyari village.
“Following this information, we turned our investigation in that direction. We found from the people of Nangiyari village that Jusab was in the habit of writing obscene messages on the walls of dargahs. The message written on the wall of the dairy was similar to those written on the walls of the dargahs. Acting on this information, we nabbed Traya,” said an official from Bhuj LCB.
Cops interrogated Jusab with the help of Rohit Joshi, a teacher with Nav Chetan Andhjan Mandal who knew sign language of the deaf and mute.
“During his interrogation, Jusab said that he was shooed away by the caretakers of Mothala dargah when he had gone there asking for food and shelter at night last winter. Harbouring grudge against this, he desecrated the dargah by burning its chadar (holy sheet), and then went on desecrating other three dargahs,” added the official.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Apples is bringing accessible coding to schools for blind, deaf
With an aim to offer students with disabilities an opportunity to learn the language of technology, Apple is bringing an accessible coding programme to schools serving the blind and deaf communities, first to the US and then to more schools around the world.
Beginning this autumn, US schools supporting students with vision, hearing or other assistive needs will start teaching the "Everyone Can Code" curricula for Swift — Apple's intuitive programming language, the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant said in a statement on Thursday.
"Apple's mission is to make products as accessible as possible," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO.
"We created Everyone Can Code because we believe all students deserve an opportunity to learn the language of technology," Cook said.
"We hope to bring Everyone Can Code to even more schools around the world serving students with disabilities," he added.
Apple created the Everyone Can Code curricula so students from kindergarten to college and beyond can learn and write code using Swift.
With teacher guides and lessons, students learn the basics on iPad with Swift Playgrounds which lets them use real code to solve puzzles and control characters with just a tap.
Besides facilitating to App Development with Swift, it can also help aspiring app developers build their first iOS apps.
Apple said it collaborated with engineers, educators, and programmers from various accessibility communities to make Everyone Can Code as accessible as possible and will work in close coordination with schools to augment the curricula as needed.
This will include providing additional tools and resources such as tactile maps to enhance the understanding of coding environments for non-visual learners, it added.
The Everyone Can Code curricula is compatible with VoiceOver, an advanced screen-reading technology for people who are blind or low vision.
VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that describes nearly everything happening on your screen.
With VoiceOver integration, Swift Playgrounds can take students step-by-step through learning Swift, all without needing to see the screen.
Accessibility features for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include FaceTime for capturing every gesture and facial expression, Type to Siri, closed captions, LED Flash for Alerts, Mono Audio and Made for iPhone hearing aids.
The tech giant said that iPad and Everyone Can Code can also be used by students with physical motor limitations through Apple's built in Switch Control, which enables switches, joysticks and other adaptive devices to control what is on your screen. — IANS.
This slick looking device is the world's first modular hearing aid
18.05.2018
The world's first modular hearing aid is here, and it could change the game for people with total or partial hearing loss.
Melbourne-based hearing aid designers Blamey Saunders won Australia's prestigious Good Design Award of the Year and the CSIRO Design Innovation Award for their groundbreaking device, dubbed Facett, at a glitzy ceremony at Sydney Opera House on Thursday.
So, what makes this hearing aid different to other models? The device works with a core, linked to an app, and is powered by a rechargeable module, which magnetically clicks into place — for anyone who's tried to change a hearing aid battery in the dark, or had to have someone else change it for them, this is pretty neat.
Plus, while rechargeable batteries for hearing aids are pretty widely available now, zinc-air button disposable batteries are commonly used — and these can be super fiddly and often difficult for people with partial dexterity.
Instead, the Facett lets you store one of two pairs of modules in a small portable drying and charging pod, which you can plug in when you go to bed, and it'll charge overnight for a day's listening.
“This product has incredible potential to make a very positive impact on people's lives who suffer from hearing loss. The use of rechargeable batteries and magnetic coupling is highly innovative," said the Good Design Awards judges' statement.
"Every little detail of this product has been meticulously designed with the end use in mind, right down to the magnetic charging case, colour coded units for each ear and carefully considered design aesthetic."
That "carefully considered design aesthetic" is a genuine plus. The hearing aids themselves are slick as hell, with a geometric exterior and coming in gloss white, metallic rose gold, metallic silver, and matte black colours. According to Melbourne's RMIT, the design was inspired by the crystal forms in the Melbourne Museum's mineralogy collection.
"The stunning jewel-like design does well to remove the stigma of hearing aids by drawing parallels to jewellery and wearable art," said the GDA judges.
As everyone's hearing is different, the device settings are adjustable through a system called IHearYou, via smartphone, tablet or Windows app. The device also boasts high resolution sound, filtered through 96 output channels, and technology that isolates speech and reduces background noise.
Preorders for Facett are open now from Blamey Saunders' website. They're not cheap, with a single priced at AU$3,100 and a pair at $5,990, but this seems pretty average for hearing aids. Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE places hearing aid prices anywhere between $AU$1,000 and $10,000, if you're not eligible for a basic free device through a body like Australian Hearing. Hearing aids aren't covered by Australia's public healthcare service, Medicare, although there are some exceptions.
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