GANGTOK: A two-day workshop on the Basics of Indian Sign Language (ISL) commenced in the conference hall of Soochna Bhawan, Information and Public Relations Department, here on Tuesday.
Organised by the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC Sikkim), Assam Lingzey, under the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities, Kolkata, the workshop has been designed exclusively for special educators, officials and employees of Central and State Government offices.
The first technical session was conducted by ISL Master Trainer, Mr Akhilesh Chauhan, who introduced the participants to Indian Sign Language and its role in fostering inclusive communication.
His session covered key aspects such as deaf culture and history, basic sign language for everyday communication, common office phrases, ISL gain, and humorous expressions in ISL.
This was followed by Session II led by ISL Interpreter, Mr Vishal Biswakarma, who elaborated on deaf and audible range cultures, methods of forming signs, communication techniques, and further insights into deaf culture and history.
The sessions were followed by an activity and Q&A session, where participants engaged directly with the trainers to clarify doubts and learn through practice.
The training continued with joint sessions by both trainers, Mr Chauhan and Mr Biswakarma, focusing on practical communication techniques and reinforcing the lessons learned earlier to actively practice and gain confidence in using basic ISL.
Earlier, during the inaugural session, Director CRC Sikkim, Ms Pushpanjali Gupta, gave an overview of the activities and objectives of CRC Sikkim along with the educational prospects available in the field.
She also highlighted the provisions of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act, 1992 and informed about the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, under which around 80+ beneficiaries have been registered in Sikkim.
The programme was also addressed by Assistant Commissioner Disabilities of Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, Mr Prem Narayan Pradhan and Headmistress, Special School of Hearing Impaired Sichey, Ms Norbu Doma Bhutia.
- IPR Report
