PCM S.D. College for Women organises 7-Day Workshop on Indian Sign Language

Jalandhar, December 23, 2024: The Equal Opportunity Cell and NCC Unit of PCM S.D. College for Women, Jalandhar, in collaboration with Bhagat Puran Singh School for the Deaf, Amritsar; Red Cross School for Deaf, Jalandhar; and  Jalandhar Sign Language Group, organised a 7-day workshop on Indian Sign Language. The workshop aimed to foster inclusivity and bridge communication gaps between differently-abled and non-disabled individuals.

The collaboration with Jalandhar Sign Language Group further enriched the workshop. Dedicated to promoting education, peer mentorship, and social inclusion for the deaf community, this volunteer-led organization works towards empowering deaf individuals with the education and support they need to lead fulfilling lives. Their efforts focus on strengthening family bonds, building meaningful community connections, enhancing communication for the deaf, and encouraging spiritual and moral growth. The organization also advocates for workplace equality and actively supports deaf individuals in finding employment.

The workshop began with a green welcome for the resource person, Arun Kumar, and his team by Principal Prof. Dr. Pooja Prashar. Assistant Professor Gurjit Kaur formally welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of sign language. Arun Kumar, along with his team members Kate, Chahat, and Justin, introduced participants to deaf culture, challenges faced by the deaf community, and the basics of Indian Sign Language (ISL). Students and faculty learned signs for alphabets, numbers, and personal names, along with the role of facial expressions and hand gestures in effective communication.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in practical activities and interactive sessions. Students practiced hand and body movements to convey emotions and learned signs for relationships, animals, time zones, weekdays, and months. A highlight of the workshop was the visit of students and teachers from Red Cross School for Deaf, Jalandhar. College students used their newly acquired skills to communicate with the deaf students, creating a meaningful exchange of experiences. Teachers from Red Cross School also shared insights into the unique talents of deaf students and the resources available to support their growth.

The workshop also included skill-based learning sessions. Deaf boys explored the Fine Arts Department, where Assistant Professor Aashima taught them drawing techniques. Meanwhile, deaf girls participated in activities in the Cosmetology and Fashion Designing Departments. Under the guidance of Mrs. Rupinder, Prachi, and Mrs. Sunita Bhalla, they learned makeup skills, skincare routines, and basics of fashion design, gaining hands-on experience in these fields.

On the final day, R.P. Singh, Director of Bhagat Puran Singh School for the Deaf, addressed the participants online, appreciating the college for organizing such an inclusive initiative. Principal Dr. Pooja Prashar interacted with students and faculty to gather feedback and applauded the efforts of the organizing team. Principal P.N. Sharma of Red Cross School also congratulated the college for this meaningful initiative. Thanks were extended to Inderdev Singh, Secretary, Red Cross Society, Jalandhar, for assisting in the organization of this fruitful workshop in collaboration with Red Cross School for Deaf.

President Naresh Bhudia, Senior Vice President Vinod Dada, and other members of the managing committee congratulated the NCC Unit and Equal Opportunity Cell for this commendable initiative. They praised the faculty members, including NCC in-charge Captain Priya Mahajan, Anu Malhotra, and other contributors like Amandeep, Jaswinder Kaur, Sonia, and Sapna, for their dedication.