Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday said the government will sympathetically consider setting up "Indian Sign Language Research and 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, A.S. Narayanan, who requested for withdrawal of the order placing the proposed Indian Sign Language Research and 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 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.
