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DEAF WAY II- ANOTHER MILESTONE
Dr. Dilip Deshmukh Ichalkaranji
The "Deaf Way" in 1989 was the turning point in my life. It gave me new vision. I realized the power and potentiality of the deaf. I found that in developed countries where sign language and deaf culture have been accepted, have progressed rapidly and have successfully become even lawyers, physicians, teachers, school administrators, air pilots chemists, psychologists, social workers etc. Similarly I am confident, "Deaf Way II" also will be another milestone in deaf history.
The Gallaudet University, the only university in the world with programs and services specifically designed to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, was the host of Deaf Way II. Gallaudet is committed to providing instruction in the arts and sciences that is vital to the development of the intellect; to conducting research aimed at enhancing the lives of deaf and hard of hearing individuals; and to serving deaf and hard of hearing people, their families, and the professionals who work with them. Faculty, staff, and students at Gallaudet kept no stone unturned to make the event a historical one.
More than 9500 delegates from 119 countries attended the event. The week July 8th to 12th was full of activities and programs. It was too difficult to attend each event. In spite of record attendance, similar to the previous one, this event too was well organized. Every one could realize the meticulous planning and hard work undertaken by organizers. For example, registration of the delegates was done at Washington Convention Centre. Registration volunteers dressed in orange shirts were serving the long lines of visitors from all over the world with smiling face. The "Opening Ceremony" gave the participants the glimpse of the week ahead. "Believe" was the theme of Opening Celebration to welcome registrants, sponsors and friends. Artists from Russia, China, Czech Republic, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Australia, Mexico, United States and other countries Joined performers from the Washington Metropolitan Area in a cultural extravaganza. Under the direction of Iosif Schniederman, "Believe" featured large puppets designed and produced by Gallaudet students, video, animation, dance, theatre and story-telling, all woven in rich tapestry celebrated the art of deaf and hard of hearing people from all over the world. It was an exemplary combination of human performance and technology. The hall was full. For every country, banner was given. We occupied the seats where India's banner was placed. Most of the Indian delegates were in traditional dress. Everybody was in joyous and festival mood.
The lectures were arranged in different rooms at Washington Convention Centre. It was impossible to attend each one. The delegates were unable to choose from various programs, as most of them were interesting and informative. There were about 400 lectures delivered during the week which were divided into 12 strands: Advocacy and
Community development, education, family recreation, leisure and sports, economics, youth, health/mental health, history, language and culture, literature, sign language and interpretation and technology. Over a hundred artistic performances took placed in various theatres and exhibition halls which included dance, drama, mime, magic show, movie, literary recitation, story telling and exhibitions of paintings and sculpture.
The International Deaf Club (IDC), an immensely popular attraction during the first Deaf Way was also the heart of Deaf Way II. There were dance performances, signed song interpretations, previews of theatre performances happening throughout entertainment by community theatre companies, mimes, magicians, storytellers ad others. Thousands of Deaf people and their friends jam the IDC for a night of partying, dancing, watching shows, and imbibing in cool drinks. Six gigantic screens adorn the walls as videos, presentations and advertising appeared to keep the audience entertained. The music was loud, the master of ceremonies was extraordinary, as he was non other that the infamous Bob Daniels of California shores of the USA. The IDC was open during 5 pm to 2 am. Magic Morgan gave a good performance. One of his magician tricks was to help four men bent over backward without support to remain in position with chairs missing. The Action players group from Calcutta ably lead by Astad Deboo was the star attraction. These dancers got great laurels from audience. The International Deaf Club was sponsored by CSD (formerly Communication Service for the Deaf).
Film and Video Festival was also another added attraction of the "Deaf Way II". In 1913, National Association of the Deaf President George Veditz and his peers had the foresight to produce a film series, which recognized then the power of films and its ability to document and transcend time. In one of the films, Preservation of Sign Language, Mr. Veditz signed, "As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs, and as long as we have our films we can preserve our beautiful sign language in it original purity". While structuring the film festival, this theme was kept in mind and more than fifty films and videos were included which had documented Deaf people, their way of life, their languages & courage and how the world sees towards them. On 10th July morning film critique session and on 12th July afternoon film roundtable think tank took place at Gallaudet University Kellogg Conference Center which was attended by many.
Deaf artists worldwide submitted their artwork to the Deaf Way II Cultural Arts Review Committee which found that many of the themes of artwork were common to the mainstream art world and to the cultures surrounding the artists. These artists had also employed themes that reverberate in deaf culture: oppression, suppression of a preferred mode of communication, the superimposition of oral forms of communication with equipment such as hearing aids, difficulty in obtaining interpreters, particularly in legal situations, and the pain and trauma surrounding social rejection of deafness, especially in
Children. Many artists also used sign language in their art. For some, sign language was a source of inspiration. For others, sign language was an integral part of the visual vocabulary of the artwork. The exhibit of work produced by Deaf Artists reflected the pride and solidarity of the Deaf Community. Deaf Way II brought an array of exhibits of deaf artists from all over the world. The diversity of this art in media, style and theme offered the opportunity for extensive examination of the world of deaf artists on a scale previously unattainable. Mr. M. Ramalingam's art work titled "She and He in Bedroom near Temple" was acclaimed by many.
Researchers, artists, performers and other members of international deaf community converged at Deaf Way II to create a singular blend of scholarship and social interaction, the prospect of which inspired The Deaf Way II Anthology, which brings together stellar contributions by 16 international writers who are either deaf or hard of bearing. This remarkable collection features poetry, essays, short stories and one play, all of which offer thought-provoking perspectives on elements from the personal universes from these gifted authors. One important reason to publish this collection is to raise awareness in both the deaf and hearing communities that deaf people do write. Another is to show how deaf writers portray deaf characters and deaf experiences.
MCI sponsored two locations where for free one can use computers to check email, surf the Internet, and make text to voice telephone calls. They were open during 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. They were offering free frozen coffee.
As expected the Deaf Way II was both intellectually stimulating and thoroughly entertaining. However India, in spite of having one fifth of world's deaf population, was represented very poorly. Dr. Madan Vasishta presented three papers, who is staying at present in USA. There are many Indian deaf who are settled in USA and Western Hemisphere, but very few are having concern for the deaf in India. Often Dr. Madan visits India and promotes sign language and deaf culture. He is responsible to publish the first Indian Sign Language dictionary. Still he is having passion to elevate the social, economic, and educational status of Indian deaf. Other Indian delegates were Dr. Surinder Randhawa (a Fulbright scholar), Alok Kejriwal and Sandeep Agarwal (both businessmen in Mumbai), Munshi Ghulam Nasiruddin ( a researcher), Amaresh and Gopalkrishnan ( who have played a key role in publishing the ISL dictionary), Priya and Ganesh Kamath (from Bangalore) and C. Rajeshwari (Secretary, Deaf Adult Women's Needs). The reasons of poor attendance of Indian delegates are many. But the important reason was the refusal of visa by the USA embassy. I believe, even God doesn't know, why visa was refused to Arun Rao and Dr. Onkar Sharma and so many who were keen to attend and are actively engaged in deaf activities and programs. After attending the Deaf Way II — still the same question reappears in my mind: When the deaf in my country will be able to enjoy life like the "Deaf Way"?
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