This is the President of VAD, his name is Akbar Dhamani - sign name.
I am so excited. I want to ask when and who founded VAD?
On 2nd Dec we started discussing about VAD as there were many associations in Maharashtra.
But none were advocating for Deaf rights. So me, Sandeep and another senior person discussed
and with a lot of difficulty founded VAD in July 2014.
We have successfully worked for the last 5 years.
What is VAD's aim?
Deaf individuals are suffering a lot.
The government always opressess the Deaf. We advocate for their demands so that Deaf people can have a better life.
Many Deaf lose property rights, have problems with their banks, families etc.
So we advocate for their demands to give them a better life.
That's great!
Manoj Patwari, the President of SLAD
is giving a lecture about the protest in Pune. He is also taking about SLAD's achievements and failures.
Sandeep Lahoti is VAD's General Secretary.
Do you know he is a businessman.
He has a business of groceries and encourages VAD as well.
How do you manage all this?
I manage my business, my family, food, etc.
but managing both VAD and personal life is difficult yes.
I alternate between. I encourage VAD to create awareness and then they develop.
My personal life is separate. I keep alternating between them.
It is not easy but look at his can do spirit.
How did you think of becoming the General Secretary?
My friends in our team encouraged me as they thought I'd be a good GS.
Due to their encouragement and Akbar's advice I have been able to achieve things.
Today is VAD's anniversary.
Do you have weekend club session?
No no. When there are special programmes we plan and then announce it.
Not everyday.
We only do it for special events related to women, IDD, anniversaries, etc.
Today I have seen so many people here for the 5th anniversary.
I hope people from various districts attend VAD's events as programmes are very beneficial.
This is Anuj Jain -sign name- working with NAD as JS.
His lecture is about NAD's achievement, failures,
various problems in India such as inavailability of education, interpreters, etc.
Mr Jain had also visited Switzerland and he gave all the details about his trip. Deaf individuals were very interested in his lecture.
All Deaf people are very interested in the lucky draw.
There are 50 gifts in the lucky draw.
50 items such as bike, washing machine, TV, etc. Look at them!