Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (HB)

Udupi, May 18: Udupi district welfare association of the deaf celebrated its first anniversary on Sunday, May 17 at Ammanni Ramanna Shetty hall in Udupi.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru member of parliament Shobha Karandlaje in her inaugural speech said, "The feelings of normal and disabled personhe same. The government has decided to give Rs 1000 monthly allowance to persons with 70% of disability who are getting Rs 500 per month presently. There is only one school for the deaf and dumb, at Mysuru, so it is difficult for poor families to avail education."

"There is a need to bring them into mainstream of the society," Karandlaje added.

Karandlaje assured that she will always be with the association of the deaf and also promised that she will present the written copy of their demands to state and centre both.

K H Shankar, president of Chikkamagaluru DAD insisted that state should provide free bus pass for deaf and dumb. He urged the deaf be treated equally with others in the society.

Ganesh Rao, general secretary of the association of the deaf, Bebgaluru submitted a copy of demands to Shobha Karandlaje.

The demands are as follows:

To establish a deaf school in every district.
To provide sign language education for interpreters in schools, colleges and ITI.
Employment reservation seats for who have 70 decibel of disability.
To privilege grants for deafs' and dumbs' sports tournaments.
To provide disability certificate in every district.
To provide small accommodation to deaf association in districts.

Jessline Lewis, presided over the programme.

S Prasanna Murthy, vice chairman, Karnataka sports federation of the Deaf, Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, BJP district president, Niranjan Bhat M, district disabled welfare officer Manipal, Manohar Shetty Thonse, Yogaraj Shetty, general secretary among others were present.

Deepa compered the programme.