A first: Sign language interpreters at ceremony

For the first time in India, sign language interpreters will be part of Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday. As many as three Indian sign language interpreters would be on duty at the swearing-in ceremony “to ensure that the oath-taking and related ceremonies are interpreted for as many as 18 million citizens of India, who are hearing impaired”.

“This is a historic first. It has been a long-standing demand that at all important public events, sign language interpretation should be made available so that people who are hearing impaired are not left out and that the event is made accessible to them as well,” Javed Abidi, convenor of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG), said.

On Saturday, a delegation of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) met BJP president Rajnath Singh, urging him to ensure the presence of sign language interpreters at the swearing-in ceremony.

“Doordarshan has confirmed that the sign language interpreters would be available not only at the ceremony, but the telecast would also be featuring the facility for such viewers across the country and even across the world,” NAD’s Anuj Jain said. Recently, hearing impaired protesters had demonstrated to ensure that the telecast of the Republic Day ceremony was made available in sign language.