The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has said here today that the Government will sympathetically consider setting up “Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre” as an independent body for the benefit of those suffering from impaired hearing. He was talking to a delegation of “National Association of the Deaf” (NAD) led by its Secretary, Shri A.S. Narayanan, who requested for withdrawal of the order placing the proposed Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre under “Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped” (AYJNIHH). They demanded that the proposed autonomous institute for sign language research and training should, instead of being placed under another institute, be managed by concerned experts dealing with hearing impairment as well as by representatives of the Association of the deaf.
Dr. Jitendra Singh gave the deputation a patient hearing and said, the number of persons suffering from hearing impairment in India has gone up in recent years and even though the official census placed their number at 5 million, some of the other surveys have placed their number at much higher figure. In this background, he said, special consideration has to be given to the peculiar requirements of this section of society, so that their talent and aptitudes can be put to the best use and their potential can be exploited in the best possible manner. Dr. Jitendra Singh said, he has understood the contention expressed by the representatives of NAD that “Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped” deals more with therapeutic management like cochlear implant, etc., to restore hearing and may not be actually imparting the non-pharmaceutical training like sign language, etc. He would, therefore, take up the issue and try to find a way out, he said.