The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) observed the Annual Day of the institute’s Cell for Differently Abled Person (CDAP) on January 13, 2024. The event also highlighted the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The objective of the event was to focus on the use of sign language, which is employed to communicate with mute and deaf individuals.

The Annual Day was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Anubha Goel, Member of CDAP; and the chief guest, Ms. Manpreet Kaur Kalra, Secretary, Divyang Development Society, Kanpur. The national anthem was presented with a lit lamp by children from the Divyang Development Society using sign language.

After lighting the lamp, Prof. S. Ganesh, Director of IIT Kanpur, extended his greetings on the Annual Day and shared information about the transformative role of the CDAP on the campus. He also expressed insightful thoughts to enhance the inclusion of differently-abled individuals.

Prof. Siddhartha Panda from the Department of Chemistry, IIT Kanpur, showcased his innovative technological devices, including the Haptic Smartwatch and Braille Learning Device, designed to empower partially blind and visually impaired students. Following this, Prof. Ashutosh Modi from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur is actively engaged in researching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. He shared insights into his upcoming project, centered around technology and sign language, providing a comprehensive discussion on the applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the realm of sign language. Prof. Ashutosh Modi also emphasized how these technologies have the potential to significantly improve the comprehension and interpretation of visual languages.

Further in the program, the chief guest, Ms. Manpreet Kaur Kalra, reflected on the Divyang Development Society’s journey, from its humble beginnings in a small room to achieving national recognition and receiving the prestigious President's Award during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023. 

The Ceremony also featured cultural performances, including a motivational poem recited by Supriya Tiwari, a Class II student from Delhi Public School, Kalyanpur; an inspirational song by Ms. Lakshmi Agrawal, an M.Tech student from IIT Kanpur, and a performance by the children of the Ambedkar Institute through a play and melodious music.

During the program, Prof. Kaushik Bhattacharya, Coordinator of CDAP; Prof. Raju Kumar Gupta, Chairperson, Students’ Placement Office, IIT Kanpur; Mr. Sandeep Singh, Grievance Redressal Officer, along with other senior officers and professors from the institute were present. The event concluded with Prof. Anubha Goel, Member of CDAP, expressing gratitude to the chief guest, Ms. Manpreet Kaur Kalra, and all the participants.

The Annual Day of the institute’s Cell for Differently Abled Person (CDAP) shows the institute's dedication to promoting inclusivity and establishing a nurturing environment for individuals with different abilities.