:: Delhi Association of the Deaf ::

Contrary to the age old prejudices that deaf people are morons, several members of the Association have achieved unparalleled success. Some of these are listed below:


	Mr. Badri Nath Kaul Educated in adverse conditions -it was his grit and determination that made him obtain his Bachelor of Art degree, his deafness not withstanding. Having a flair for writing and an equal command over Urdu, English and Hindi, he opted for a career in journalism, rose to become News Editor of Daily Milap, one of the most widely circulated Urdu News Papers in India. On the side, he took assignments with a number of English News Weeklies which he edited with elan. He has authored a number of books on current affairs which were well received.

	Dr. Onkar Nath Sharma Migrating from Lahore, where he had obtained his B.A., he joined the Association on reaching Delhi and was associated with it up till 1985 where after he kept himself aloof devoting his time and energies working with the All India Federation of the Deaf. He has traveled extensively in India and abroad and is the only disabled member on the Central Co-ordinating Committee constituted under the Persons with Disabilities Act.

	Mr. T. Raghava, BSc., L.L.B., CAIIB Mr. T. Raghava, a Manager in the Indian Bank at Chennai, sought voluntary retirement recently. He has now started to devote his time fully to All India Deaf Bank Employees Association, which he founded and built it up into a vibrant organization and is its General Secretary as also of Tamil Nadu State Federation of the Deaf. He has recently made his debut as a journalist/ publisher successfully. News for the Handicapped which he edits and publishes has won wide acclaim within a short period. Highly educated, he was, before moving to Chennai, closely associated with the Association and had held several key positions in it. He won the State and National Awards for the best disabled employee.

	Ms. Prabha Shah An inspiration for her fellow sufferers, Ms. Prabha Shah, born deaf, demonstrated successfully that by hard work, dedication and devotion, success can be achieved in spite of deafness. Opting for fine arts as the field of her work, her commitment to it and persistence have brought to the fore, her inherent artistic talent. Now regarded as one of the best known painters in India, her works, highly prized by connoisseurs of art adorn, National Gallery of Modern Art, Rastrapati Bhawan and numerous hotels, galleries, institutions and homes in India and abroad.

	Mr. Sanjay Rathi To be deaf and yet qualify as a Chartered Accountant and to work in that capacity is not a mean achievement. Mr. Sanjay Rathi has accomplished just that feat. A newly enrolled member, due to ignorance of sign language, he finds himself at sea among other members who use only sign language. Young and far sighted, he is bound to attain new heights in his profession and be instrumental in the welfare of the deaf as well.

	Mr. Ramesh Jain An M. Sc. in Statistics, he nowadays works as Deputy Director in the Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi which he had joined as a Statistician but worked his way to his present high post on the basis of his work.

	Mr. Ravindra Mohan Gupta Though trained for a profession of Commercial Artist ( he obtained National Diploma in Art with 1 st Div.), and even worked at this profession for some time but his hidden talent as a protagonist of fine arts asserted itself and choosing murals as his line of work, he achieved unparalleled success in the field. Murals erected by him now adorn prestigious buildings across the country and he is now ranked as one of the top-notch in the filed.

	Mr. Pran Nath Bahl Like Mr. Ravindra Mohan Gupta, he obtained National Diploma in Commercial Art, worked with private advertising companies, secured Government job and on selection by the Union Public Service Commission, was appointed Senior Artist in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Govt. of India where he has worked successfully. He is perhaps the only one to have secured the coveted National Award for the best disabled employee twice. He is one of the finest mime artists in India.

	Shri Satish Kumar Arora He proved that persistence pays. Undeterred by deafness and barely educated, he chose long distance races as a field in which to excel. Hard work, grueling practices and a indefatigable determination took him to the zenith of his career. He became the undisputed long distance running champion in India's deaf community. He represented India in many International events, won medals, Diplomas and was rewarded with the coveted Arjuna Award, the highest honor for sports persons in India.

	Mr. Inder Prakash Mehta Another Commercial Artist of high repute, he too obtained National Diploma in Commercial Art. Highly talented, fortune, however, did not favour him and he had to be content with a comparatively junior post in Ministry of Information Broadcasting. He is mime artist of unequalled proportions. He is recipient of National Award for Best Disabled Employee.

	Shri Aditya Sharma He graduated from University of Delhi with top honours, trained himself in Computer Operations and then went to the USA where he joined the Gallaudet University. Admitted in M.Sc(Euducation) degree of the Gallaudet University, he completed training in American Sign Language from Centre of ASL Literacy. He now knows five different sign languages and is working with an NGO providing relief to persons with disabilities.

	Dr. T. Jacob Hailing from Kerala, he came to Delhi, enrolled himself a Member of the Association, won CSIR Fellowship, proceeded to the U.S.A. where he obtained his Ph.D. and subsequently settled there, worked at top positions, his deafness could not stifle his creative genius, and intelligence.

	Dr. M.M. Vashista An alumnus of the Gallaudet College (now University), U.S.A. after completing his schooling, he came to Delhi, became member of the Association, worked for some time as Asstt. Secretary and fired by an undominatable desire to succeed, secured admission in Gallaudent College from where he obtained his Ph.D and settling in U.S.A. for good, held several key positions in educational insitute of the deaf there.

	Shri Jagmohan Jerath Independent with indomitable spirit, Shri Jag Mohan Jerath, despite his deafness has worked as touring salesman, manufacturer also a business man. He has extensive knowledge of share market. He served an Hony. Treasurer of Association for one Term. A philanthropist, he has donated substantial funds to charity, including Assocation.