Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Feb 21: Tribal village Dadhkai’s deaf and dumb villagers participated in the ongoing Snow Carnival as special guests. The village was recently adopted by the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit.
Dadhaki is a hilltop tribal village, 105 km from Bhaderwah town, is home to 105 families. Of these, 55 families mysteriously have at least one person who can neither speak nor listen. There are 78 such people in the village, of which 41 are women and 30 children aged three to 15 years.
Army after distributing hearing aids and later conducting specialized sign language classes at their doorsteps took 30 differently abled villagers for a joy tour to Jaie meadow, where Army is organising a snow carnival.
Overwhelmed by the new found attention by the Army and visitors at the festival site, the differently abled villagers enjoyed and took part in all the activities there including Snow Sledging, Skiing, Zorbing Ball, Tube Slides, Snow Trekking and Tug of War.
BDC Chairman Mohd Hanief, who is also the native of Dadhkai village with three members of his family having the disorder, said that the maiden joy visit for the deaf and mute population proved that they (Army) have adopted the village in letter and spirit.
“It’s only Army who thinks about the welfare of all sections of the society without any discrimination,” said Dedarr, who was accompanying the deaf and mute population.
“To bring these specially abled persons to participate in Snow Festival is an appreciable step by our army, for which we will remain indebted to them,” BDC chairman added, saying that we salute Army for their gesture and efforts towards deaf and mute people, who were neglected by all Governments.
Enthusiastic and overwhelmed deaf and mute Reham Ali Khatana 45 of Dhadkai while enjoying the snow festival expressed gratitude through his gesture and sign language to the Army for providing them an opportunity to participate in the snow carnival in the beautiful Jaie valley along with other people.
“The visit of deaf and mute population to the Carnival is surely the highlight of the 3-day festival,” said an Army officer who is Nodal officer of the event.
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