EKansh

I am Anita. I've worked with the blind in Delhi and now work with people across the disability spectrum in Pune. My dream has always been that of an INCLUSIVE world - a world where there are no labels meant to help discriminate or differentiate. With an academic background in Law, Sociology and Psychology and work experience in the service industry, EKansh is my baby and she's lucky to have found so many Godparents in so short a time. My role is to conceptualize and actualize ideas to spread my/our slogan - Awareness, Acceptance, Sensitization and Inclusion.

Bhakti is my co-trustee in EKansh. She is keen to help change the situation for people with disabilities and the attitude of our society. She's taken over the task of documentation and official paperwork for EKansh.

Dr. ( Mrs.) Madhuri Sheth is a gem of an ally. She's a septuagenarian with a wild zest for music, drama and life in general. A moving force who prods us on, advises, scolds, gently explains and ensures that things get done the way they should. She's visiting faculty at TASMAC in Pune with very rich experience in training and HR. She's organised and participated in various Indian nad international conferences and seminars ..also run an NGO called SANCHETNA. She believes in woman power and epitomises it.

Mona is an EKansh member with a keen eye for details/grammar and a sharp mind for accounts. We'd be lost without her!

Ramona is a new member who lost 8 months of her active life to a broken leg and was at home thanks to non-existent public spaces with facilities for people with disabilities in our country. An editor with Jacaranda and an MBA, she's a hands on person with a keen mind who wants to learn the ropes yesterday.

Girish is 'guest' volunteer who shows up and helps us out when we least expect him to.

This is our team today. Besides these friends, there are many who've supported us in many ways. We'd like this family to grow and welcome anyone who has the time and inclination to make our society more inclusive.


Atiya has a freelance ISL consultant to us and friend since 3 years. We still argue with each other from opposite sides of the same issue. Me, a representative of the insensitive 'non-disabled' society and she, an ISL interpreter and resource person AND an insider from the deaf community since she has a brother who is deaf. We argue about the rules that the self appointed authorities have laid down...me more willing to break them than she. She worries about whether the 'hearing' will take the 'deaf' for a ride. I worry whether the 'deaf' will trust those 'hearing' people who are really keen on inclusion but are clueless and treading on eggshells. We share a strong partnership and know we will achieve what we set out to. She helps us conduct awareness sessions wrt ISL and deaf issues.

Aqil is Atiya's brother and our Mascot! He's deaf and a tireless advocate of ISL. He has also always been with us on our journey towards inclusion. He has evolved into a more confident human being, now even co-ordinating and assisting in designing and teaching our basic course on ISL.


We thank Atiya and Aqil for their support to EKansh as experts from within the Deaf World.