Dr Cyrus Poonawalla flags concern about limited donor support for hearing-impaired children, rape survivors
'These causes often receive limited donor support, particularly those involving the hearing-impaired and rape survivors,' he said during the inauguration of the new building of the Indian Red Cross Society's Dr Cyrus Poonawalla School for Hearing Impaired at Lullanagar in Pune.
Set up in 1976, Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla School for Hearing Impaired Monday relocated to a spacious new campus that includes state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern amenities. The Villoo Poonawalla Foundation has been supporting the school since it was set up. According to the school authorities, a grant of approximately Rs 4 crore was given for the new building and other facilities.
'Providing better healthcare and support to children with special needs is a cause very close to my heart. I feel deeply gratified to inaugurate the new school that is dedicated to children with hearing impairments. This is in keeping with our philosophy at SII to effectively utilise our resources to provide the best preventive solutions to the population, including children. This new building, encompassing advanced infrastructure and modern facilities for the hearing-impaired children, is a step towards the same direction,' Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla said, assuring annual donations to ensure students have a better learning environment.
He also spoke about championing the cause of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA). 'We are endorsing the IDCA. They have some remarkable achievements and won laurels at various competitions in Dubai, Australia, England, and others,' he added.
The newly inaugurated school, spread across 30,000 sq ft is equipped with high-end technologies and designed in a manner to meet the unique needs of children with hearing impairments, offering a wide array of enhanced services and specialised support.
The school operates under the leadership of Dr Vikram Phatak, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, with Mabrin Nanavati serving as vice chairman, and Prof R V Kulkarni as secretary. The school is headed by Chairperson Dr Aparna Morris, with Mrunal Sarade as the principal.
Dr Morris told The Indian Express that the school is committed to reaching the most underserved sections of society. 'Biannual outreach surveys are conducted in and around Pune, especially targeting children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Once a child with hearing impairment is identified, the school initiates detailed counselling for the parents, encouraging them to enrol their child into an inclusive and nurturing learning environment,' Dr Morris added.
Teachers are specially trained to work with hearing-impaired students, and they employ interactive boards, sign language, and structured speech therapy sessions. 'These approaches help children who cannot hear learn to identify sounds and gradually develop spoken language,' Dr Morris said.
Students are trained in crafts, drawing, and sculpture using materials like plasticine, and innovative techniques such as vibration belts are used to teach classical dance forms like Kathak, helping students feel the rhythm they cannot hear. According to the authorities, the school also plans to expand its curriculum to include vocational training, aiming to equip students with practical skills that will empower them to become financially independent and self-sufficient.
Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition.
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