Hyderabad: September 26 is celebrated as Day of the Deaf every year. This day is very special for Manikanta from Moti Nagar, Hyderabad. Annapragada Manikanta is a hearing-disabled person and the first Indian to receive driving licence from the Telangana government in 2017. Interestingly, Manikanta being the professional in graphic designing is the one who designed logo for the vehicles driven by the hearing-impaired for the Telangana government.
Speaking about the driving experience in Hyderabad, Manikanta said, "Driving is easy, if we have confident in ourselves and I drive comfortably on Hyderabad roads using side mirrors. I have never been an undisciplined driver and always follow traffic rules. Till date, I have not faced any problems and feeling great after driving several kilometers alone so far, I become comfortable in driving, my family and people around are very cooperative and supportive and they always cautions me to drive safe."
He, however, expresses disappointment that when several deaf people approach for driving licence, officials are sending back them claiming that they have no knowledge about the government order to provide licences in such cases. He urged deaf people to carry a copy of GO while giving the driving test, so the officials will not object to them. He says it is due to support from his parents, VaraLakshmi and Sivarama Prasad, that he is able to drive on roads. "Though I faced several challenges, I made myself strong and confidently started moving ahead in life as it was my dream to ride and be successful like all others. It's been two years and have been driving safely every day."
Speaking about designing the logo for the hearing impaired people vehicles, Manikanta informs, "I gave eight designs for the TS government, of which one was picked up which will be displayed both on the front and the rear sides of vehicle. The logo signifies that the 'Driver is deaf, please pay attention.' It is a way to spread awareness and avoid accidents and request other people to cooperate." "I began drawing and turned professional in 2007 after completing a course in fine arts with a senior artist and I completed animation courses at Ni-MSME and began working in 2010. At present, I am working as a background animator for a company. So, designing a logo was an easy task for me and also it was a good opportunity to help so many others like me. It was a priceless happiness to fulfil dreams of hearing impaired being able to drive on roads," he added.
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