Celebrating International Week of Sign Languages through an Awareness Programme on “Creating an Inclusive Environment through Sign Language”
The School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar observed International Day (Week) of Sign Languages (as prescribed by UGC through vide letter no. D.O.No.2-85/2022 (CPP-II)). An Awareness Programme on ‘Creating an Inclusive Environment through Sign Language’ was organized for the students as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on 23rd September 2022.
The United Nations General Assembly resolved on 19th December 2017 to proclaim 23rd September as the “International Day of Sign Languages” to raise awareness about the growing importance of sign language. The “World Federation of the Deaf” suggests every year a theme for organizing Sign Language Day and this year’s theme was “Sign Languages Unite Us”. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) Government of India joined hands in creating awareness and decided to organize “Sign Language Day”.
The chief speaker of the day, Mr. Bishikeshan Mohapatra, Library Programme Officer, KISS DU graced the occasion. Mr. Mohapatra delibrated through sign language and elaborated on the importance of Sign Language in the context of persons with hearing disability. He stressed the fact that people with disabilty are capable doing many things similar to their able bodied counterparts. Concluding his address he shared that persons with disability especially who cannot hear and speak are capable of expressing their feelings through sign language.
The event was attended by the students and faculty members of the School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures, KISS-DU
