Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced several initiatives in the interest of deaf and dumb children of the State. He said along with according status of full language to sign language, 10 ITIs in sign language would also be opened at Divisional Headquarters.

This work will be accomplished within a year.

He said that Madhya Pradesh would be first State in the country to have ITIs in sign language and added that two teachers of sign language each would be appointed in all schools for excellence in the State.

Chouhan was addressing deaf and dumb children at Indore on Sunday.

During his Indore visit on November 19, the Chief Minister had promised to disabled children and institutions working for them to take steps for their welfare. He fulfilled his promises on Sunday.

At the programme, Chouhan established contact with children and heard their problems. He said DEd and BEd in sign language would be conducted. Its cost will be borne by State Government. He said such students would have to pass DEd and BEd with minimum 50 per cent marks.

He said his Government would bear entire expenses of education of disabled students on pursuing medical, engineering and other professional courses. Interpreters would also be appointed to assist them in professional courses. Special facilities for sports would also be made available to them.

The Chief Minister said these children with physical disability had no lack of talent. They needed to be provided opportunities which the State Government would do.

Chouhan offered sweets to disabled children and gave them gifts and economic assistance.

Under Mukhyamantri Bal Shravan Yojana financial assistance was given to girl Purvi who is deaf and dumb by birth. The girl also recited a poem at the programme. Now, this girl has started to speak and hear. Under this scheme, successful Cochlear implantation was done in 46 children of Indore. Instead of doing himself, the Chief Minister got the programme inaugurated by disabled children.