7th Annual Cultural Programme in Mumbai

Tanuj Marwah, Rajeev Bagga, Anantadevji, Meenakshi Bhatia, Vidyulata,
Sarah and Vaseem are chanting `Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna,
Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

From left to right: Reita Bansal ( UK ), Anantadevji ( SDD Guru, Bangalore ),
Malka ( UK ), Minal Joshi ( Ayurveda Products Maker, Pune ), Alok Kejriwal
( Businessman & Chairman of 1st India Deaf Expo, Mumbai ), Inayat Chinoy
( Mumbai ) & Geeta Saraiya ( Mumbai ). Pic of Rajeev Bagga is not included
because he is interpreting for the Indian audience.

Aqil Chinoy, Meenakshi and Vaseem are enacting a proverbial play on
`A BAD WORKMAN BLAMES HIS TOOLS'

Anantadevji with International Participants ( including non-resident
Indians) from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Japan


Participants are relaxing and enjoying after the programme is over

Hare Krishna!

The 7th SDD programme went well at Amulakh Amichand Vidyalaya, Matunga, Mumbai on 24th December 2006. About 100 deaf persons attended it.


Prayer by Anantadevji in signs began. Anantadevji's proverbial play ` Death, the Great Leveller' which lasted for about 20 minutes entertained the audience greatly.

There were seven special guests on the stage – Malka Ben David and Reita Bansal ( from UK ), Minal Joshi ( from Pune ), Alok Kejriwal ( businessman and chairman of India Deaf Expo, Mumbai ), Geeta Saraiya ( housewife, Mumbai ) Inayat Chinoy ( Aqil's father, Mumbai ) and Rajeev Bagga ( Former National Badminton Champion who has settled in UK recently ). Anantadev introduced them to the audience. Each guest spoke about Anantadevji and importance of SDD. Sandeep Agarwal, businessman, who had been selected to be one of the guests, came late. Anyway we acknowledged him for his donation towards SDD.

Aqil Chinoy had trained Meenakshi, Sarah and Vaseem for three proverbial plays. The audience were greatly appreciative of these plays.

Minal Joshi's lecture on Ayurveda won the hearts of the listeners. She explained about it beautifully. Anantadev interpreted for the audience.

Spiritual Lucky Dip was arranged. Masqood Chinoy ( Anantadevji's former classmate and Aqil's uncle, UK ) distributed prizes to the winners of the dip. About 15 foreigners and non-resident Indians introduced themselves to the audience while Aqil translated for them.

Anantadevji performed a puja for Lord Krishna. Everyone enjoyed prasadam.

Acknowledgement to Volunteers – Jyothindra Saraiya, Vipul Shah, Tanuj Marwah, C.H.Mehta, Ajoy, Kripal Singh, Mihir, Mohammed Shafique and others.

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SANATANA DHARMA FOR THE DEAF

WILL HOLD

ITS SEVENTH ANNUAL CULTURAL PROGRAMME

At

GUJARATI KELAMANI MANDAL
AMULAKH AMICHAND VIDYALAYA
close to SNDT COLLEGE, near AURORA CINEMA,
76/A, KIDWAI ROAD, MATUNGA,
MUMBAI – 400 019

At 3.30 pm on Sunday, 24th December 2006

PROGRAMME:

LECTURES, PLAYS, CONTESTS, POOJA & DINNER

TICKET:

Rs. 100/- only per an adult
Rs. 50/- only per a child (below 15)

For further information, please contact:

Shri Tushar Kansara ( Sms: 9892592528 )
Smt Geeta Saraiya ( Sms: 9867296830 )

Email: hkwad108@yahoo.com
sdd108@rediffmail.com

Anantadevji at Ichalkaranji in November 06

Dear Members,

Hare Krishna!

I am very pleased to inform you all that INTERNATIONAL ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD (RYLA)- THE DEAF WAY program was held at Ichalkaranji, District Kolhapur, Maharashtra State, India from 5th to 10th November,2006. These programs were organized by Dr.Dilip Desmukh who was the first person in India introduced Bilingualism in Deaf Education in India for the first time. I had participated in these events and enjoyed the same very much. I am telling you about these programs as follows.

About 150 deaf persons including those from Australia, Philippines, Belgium and Nigeria and attended the event. Inaugural ceremony was held on 5th November 2006.

1) Mr.A.S.Narayanan, General Secretary, National Association for the Deaf, New Delhi gave his lecture in his sign language on “ The Self-Image of the Deaf Individual”. This paper deals with the importance of Identity, the development context, family life, education, communication barrier and how a deaf person relates with the world around them, Perpesective of Deafness and understanding of the concept of rights and empowerment.

2) Mr.Sujit Sahsrabudhe and Mr.Shafique Khan, both deaf from Mumbai gave their lecture in sign language on “ Sketches of Deaf Education in India and Adult literacy”. This paper describes a comparative statement between sign deaf school using sign language and using deaf school using oralism. They explained about education of deaf adults.

3) Dr.Surinder Radhwa, Lady educator from Dehradun presented her paper on “Bilingualism in Deaf Education”. This demonstrates how deaf school can use Bilingualism in deaf education. Bilingualism means teaching two languages to the deaf. The first Langugage is Sign language and the second language is the spoken language (not speech). Sign Language is the mother tongue of the deaf.

4) Ms.Natividal P (Hearing) . and Ms.Jessie (Deaf), both from Philippines gave LCD presentation on “Deaf Culture in Philippines”. And it deals with behavior, food taste, humors, communication and education of deaf people of Philippines.

5) Dr. Jorson Fernades, a cardologist (Hearing) from Goa present his paper with help of sign language interpreter on “ Adult Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Course”. He demonstrates how we can make emergency aids on any person who suffers from heart attack or choking in throat. He gave useful tips. He also presented one paper on “Leadership is Action, not Position”. It gave us a lot of inspirations about leadership qualities.

6) Ms.Josie Hodgetts and Mr.Joshua Levitzke both deaf from Australia gave their presentation through sign language and LCD Projectors on “Deaf Culture in Australia”. They explained about technology used in Australia for deaf. i.e. TDD, alarm, door bell, T.V. caption device etc. This made all of us strive for need for such technology in India.

7) Ms. Ruma Roka, Noida, Delhi gave her presentation in sign language on “ Deaf Issues and Communication”. This lecture is very wonderful.

8) Dr. Anil Mokashi, hearing lecturer, gave his lecture with help of sign language interpreter on “Education of the Deaf- Practical Experience” It deals how deaf children start to learn in deaf school and home and sign language is very important tool for communication for early age children.

9) Mr. R. Narasimham, Chennai, gave his lecture on “Vocational Rehabilitation of the Deaf in Developing countries”. He gave detailed charts about technical training institutes, various trades, educational qualification and opportunities, colleges, Job opportunities, reservations etc for the deaf in India.

10) Ms. Monica Punjabi, Indore gave her lecture on “Role of Interpreter in Deaf culture”. It deals with importance of sign language interpreter. Her lecture is very interesting and I can understand well what will sign Interpreter do for deaf persons.

11) Mr. Alok Kejriwal, Chairman, India Deaf Expo2007 and deaf businessman from Mumbai was a Chief Guest for the event on 10th November. He explained to all participants about deaf issues. He asked all deaf persons to join one unity to fight against government on deaf issues.

12) Three deaf persons from Nigeria – Jonathan Tinat, Lucy Upah and Anthonia participated. They know American Sign Language very well. They said that all deaf persons use ASL and are well educated in Nigeria. Many deaf participants from Australia, Belgium and Philippines use ASL to communicate with us. We both use both Indian Sign language and ASL.

13) Shri Anantadev Das, a deaf spiritual leader and a preacher of Bhagvad-Gita gave his lecture on Yoga, Spiritual values, Messages of Bhagvad-Gita, Meditation, proverbs, Moral values from 6.00 am to 8.00 am daily for 5 days. All participants like his lecture very much. His lecture gave us peace of mind. We consider him as Guru.

14) Cultural programs were seen on every night. .

We thank Rotarian Dr.Dilip Desmukh, who organized these programs very well and these programs were very successful. We will not forget this.
Best regards.

Kiran R. Kumar,
Vadodara District,
Gujarat State
India.
Email: krkumar70@yahoo.co.in

International Day of the Deaf on 26th September 2006

Laxmeshwar (Gadag): International Day of Deaf would be observed at the residential school for hearing impaired children, run by the G.D.Tatti ( Annavaru ) Memorial Charitable Trust, in Laxmeshwar on Tuesday. (26th September 2006)

Somanath Mahajanashettar, secretary of the trust, said the annapoorna scheme would be launched on the occasion. Kotrabasappa Bari and his wife, who have donated Rs. 1 lakh for the scheme, would be felicitiated.

Established in 1997-98, the school stands on a five-acre plot donated by the Tatti family. It has 170 students, fifty per cent of them being girls. The school imparts education from Standard 1 to 10. The first batch of SSLC students would pass out this academic year.

The school does not collect any fees from the students and is run with aid from the Central government and philanthropists. The school has a well-equipped building, hostel and qualified teachers. Besides formal education, children are provided training in computer, tailoring, gardening and embroidery.

Somanath said several software companies like eMphasis, Mindtree, and Texas Technologies among others had come forward to donate computers and technical know-how. Plans were also afoot to set up a special computer laboratory to train students. The institution was also planning to start a pre-school where the children are given speech therapy at an early stage.

Nirjanjana Mahaswamy of Hoovinashigli Viraktamath will grace the occasion. Shirahatti MLA G.S.Gadadavarmath will be the chief guest. President of Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf Anant Devaji and prinicipal of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing Dr. I.PGouramma will be the guests of honour.

( Taken from Times of India, Hubli - September 2006 )


Anantadevji's Speech is as follows:

Two weeks back Ms Janani from International Deaf Children Society (Bangalore) spoke highly of this esteemed school of the deaf, remarked that this school is one of the best ones which she has ever visited. Later I got sms from the secretary Shri Somanath requesting me to be the Chief Guest at this function during International Deaf Day Celebration. I agreed to be so because I want to boost these deaf students’ morale and narrow the gap between the deaf and the hearing.

Since in India the deaf in general have backwardness in many areas like education, profession, and others and the hearing people generally also have some negative attitudes about the deaf, I am very glad to know that the school’s aim is to motivate the students to be socially and economically advanced. I don’t want the deaf to depend heavily on their parents and siblings but to learn how to stand on their own feet.

My group is called Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf ( SDD ). It strives for the cultural, educational, social and spiritual activities of the deaf not only in India but also in a few parts of the world. It instills confidence into the deaf as the better citizens. Bhagavad-Gita gives a lot of wonderful information about science of soul. It can give the deaf spiritual strength if they understand it - The deaf may be physically deaf but actually they are not spiritually so. So they should not be disheartened about their deafness but should be always positive about their abilities. We should always be grateful and pray to Great God. In this way we can live our better lives.

May God bestow His chosen blessings upon you all.

( 26th September 2006 )

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI COMMENT

APPRECIATIVE COMMENT by Anita and Prakash Prabhu (Bangalore)

It is our pleasure to share our experience on our visit to SDD Janmashtami activity at National College on Tuesday, 15th August along with our son. Anantadev was explaining Bhagavad Gita when we arrived at the spot, we were surprised to see so many deaf assembled in the lecture room at National College, Jayanagar, Bangalore. My son enjoyed being a part of the deaf world where he could enjoy seeing us playing games such as drawing a circle covering the word 'KRISHNA' on a blackboard with our eyes being blindfolded, and the other game was that of hitting the mug which was hanging from the ceiling with blindfolded eyes outdoors. It was a good programme where some activities were included. We had a nice chat with our old mates and had exchanged such news with them. At the end of the programme, prasadam dinner was served to all of us and we enjoyed talking with people while eating the prasadam.

It was really great to understand some slokas of Bhagavad Gita as these are indeed applied to the real meanings in our daily routines of our lives. We would appeal to you all to attend the program on every first Sunday of every month if you can because it imparts some valuable information and helps you to get a clear picture of what Bhagavad Gita is all about. Anantadev takes pains to explain the meanings of the existence of life to the deaf and make all of us lead good & peaceful lives. Obviously, we are well known that we can't understand what other hearing Gurus talking about God. Why don't we take this opportunity to understand Anantadev's explanations where we have the ability to understand and ask questions if any. Never miss an opportunity! Kindly accept the blessings of Lord Krishna by chanting....

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

Always be Happy.

Best Regards

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI PHOTOS

The wonder kid, Deepak, the deaf son of Shri K.S.Chandramouli is chanting Hare Krishna mantra in signs in front of the audience while Anantadevji is smiling

Anantadevji is speaking to the audience about Bhagavad-Gita and Proverbs in signs

Anantadevji is giving a prize to a school student, one of the painting competition winners

Krishna Janmashtami Celebration Programme

About 70 persons including a few hearing ones attended Janmashtami programme at National College, Bangalore on 15th August 2006. Everyone enjoyed it - Anantadevji’s lecture, K.S. Chandramouli’s brief speech, two contests (games), pooja and prasadam dinner.

Krishna Janmashtami Painting Competition

Anantadevji ( Middle ) and Sharath ( Right ) are with deaf students who took part in painting competition at Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf, Bangalore.

In Bangalore Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf (SDD) held Krishna Janmashtami painting competition for the deaf school students on 10th and 11th August 2006. About 120 deaf students from Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf, R.V. School, National Residential School for the Deaf, Kannada Amrutavani School for the Deaf and and J.S.S `SAHANA School took part in it. On 12th August in Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf, a panel of judges - Shri M.N. Srinivas, Smt Bindu Rao, Smt Latha Santharam and Ms R. Janani – selected eleven students including two consolation ones for prizes. On Tuesday, 15th August during Shri Krishna Janmashtami programme held by SDD in National College, Jayanagar Shri Anantadevji, the founder of SDD, distributed prizes among these students.

SHRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI PROGRAMME

ll Hare Krishna ll

Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf will hold Shri Krishna Janmashtami (Krishna's Appearance Day falls on 16th August 2006) programme from 3.30 pm to 7 pm on Sunday, 15th August 2006 at the following venue:

LECTURE HALL
NATIONAL COLLEGE
near FOOD WORLD
JAYANAGAR 7TH BLOCK,
BANGALORE, INDIA

The programme will include lectures, contests, congregational chanting, pooja and pradasam dinner. You and your persons are cordially invited to attend it.

You are welcome to contribute for SDD out of love.

Further information, please email SDD: hkwad108@yahoo.com or sdd108@rediffmail.com

Yours in the service of the Lord,

Shri Anantadevji
Shri K.S.Chandramouli
Shri K.D.Chandramouli

Shri Samir Munshi
Shri R.Sriram

Note: Shri Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita that whoever remembers Him with devotion and love surely returns to the spiritual world. So celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami brightens this opportunity. All glories to Lord Krishna!

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

(from to right) : Shri Alex Bilenko, Shri Anantadev and Shri Shri Ravi Shankar

In January 2006 Alex ( deaf energy healer from USA) introduced Anantadev to the renowned spiritual messenger of peace and harmony Shri Shri Ravi Shankar in the latter's ashram of Art of Living in Kanakapura, Bangalore, India. Once again they met Ravi Shankar in 17th February. Ravi Shankar is one of the world spiritual masters in the world. His non-sectarian messages are enthralling millions of people all over the world.

Vadodara Newspaper Report

In Vadodara, Gujarat, Shri Paras Jha, a reporter from a local Gujarati newspaper `Divya Bhaskar' interviewed Shri Anantadev Das on 1st March 2006. The following day, this interview was printed in the newspaper.

Translation in English by Shri Tushar Kansara of Mumbai as follows:

PREACHING GITA THROUGH FINGERS OF ANANTADEV

By Paras Jha

Vadodara:
Our city guest on Wednesday, Anantadev Das is the world’s the only deaf person to teach Gita through sign language.

It is common to see sadhus, saints and mahatmas – swamis preaching and devotees becoming religious. It is uncommon to see a deaf person, who lost his power of hearing during childhood, to teach about religion through sign language. Other deaf persons become lucky receivers of this message through sign language. Fifty one year old deaf Krishna devotee not only teaches the deaf but also common people through sign language.

Currently staying in Bangalore, Anantadev Das is the world’s only deaf person to teach Gita through sign language. On Wednesday, he became a city guest to give a lecture to deaf group on Bhagavad-Gita and Dharma. Before renouncing, Anantadev Das was known as Ashok Rao, a resident of Mumbai. At the age of one, he became deaf due to prolonged illness. He overcame even this limitation. He studied in a deaf school and fortunately finished BA in History in 1980. In Mumbai he became the first deaf to pass BA (History) and made a small history.

Born to a big family of father (doctor), mother, three brothers and two sisters he unsuccessfully attempted 10th Std due to long illness. Due to this his interest veered towards spirituality. He was in search of Truth through temples, Jain temples, churches, mosques and gurudwaras till he came upon Gita. He joined ISKCON activities from 1982 to 1986 for four years. Afterwards he founded Sanatana Dharma in Bangalore where he imparts spiritual knowledge to the deaf. “I want to teach spiritual knowledge to the deaf through sign language. They don’t know how to sing bhajans like Krishna devotees but I teach them the meaning of life through their language - sign language. Thereby I left ISKCON activity and started imparting knowledge of Gita through sign language daily”.
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GREAT VALUE OF SILENCE

Anantadev Das started Sanatana Dharma to impart spiritual knowledge through printing.

He regaled his common and uncommon audience in Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore through his speech.

He preached in UK and Gallaudet College in USA.

Due to his preaching, more than hundreds of meat eaters have converted into vegetarians.
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(Taken from DIVYA BHASKAR, Vadodara, 2nd March 2006)

Vadodara Programme

Shri Anantadev Das is lecturing to the deaf persons

SDD programme was held in Vadodara, Gujarat on Wednesday, 1st March 2006. Members of Vadodara Association Deaf enjoyed it greatly.

Shri Rajesh Ketkar's Words to Anantadev

"Our deaf members of Vadodara Assocation Deaf were inspired by your lecture on proverbs! Best warm regards."

Shri Anantadev's Message

"In Vadodara some deaf persons - Rajesh Ketkar, Smt and Shri Anand Ketkar, Rajesh's and Anand's deafparents, Smt Jyoti and Shri Kiran Kumar, Smt and ShriDigant Dani, Smt and Shri Vidbhadra Rathod and others- are lovely and co-operative. They arranged nicely for SDD programmes in Vadodara. That is why I am keen to visit there again and again. Bangalore is very very far from Vadodara, but my heart is becoming closer to them."

18th December Programme in Mumbai

Congregational Chanting of Hare Krishna on the stage


I am glad to tell you that 6th Annual Cultural SDD programme in Mumbai on 18th December 2005 went well. Less than 100 deaf persons attended it. Everyone enjoyed it.