The Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, alongside the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Goa Association of the Deaf (GAD), marked the International Day of Sign Language (IDSL) with a grand celebration on September 29, 2024, at the Ravindra Bhavan Conference Hall in Margao. The event, which also commemorated the International Week of the Deaf People (IWDP), aimed to foster inclusivity, raise awareness, and advocate for the rights of the deaf community.
One of the key highlights was the Drama ISL (Indian Sign Language) Competition. Lokvishwas Pratishthan, Ponda, clinched the top prize for their outstanding performance, while the Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust, Margao, and St. Xavier’s Academy, Old Goa, secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. The competition showcased the remarkable talent of Deaf children, and was judged by experts Rahul Kunkolienkar and Lakhan Ana.
