VAANI Turns Twenty
Imagine a father, wanting desperately to understand his child, but unable to get through to her.
Someone who starts to believe, after a point in time, that his daughter is locked in her own world—unreachable.
And then, imagine his face—how it lights up on the day they both learn to communicate for the first time. With gestures, broken words, and some sign language.
For the father, it is truly the first time meeting his daughter.
For the daughter, it is the first time she is seen.
This is the kind of magic VAANI has been creating for twenty years.
The Beginning of a Quiet Revolution
Two decades ago, in 2005, in the bustling city of Kolkata, a quiet revolution began. In a small room tucked under a staircase, a group of determined mothers came together.
They didn’t have grand resources—just a shared longing to connect with their deaf children.
With guidance from a visionary leader, Ms. Brinda Crishna, a veteran in the disability and development sector, VAANI Deaf Children’s Foundation was born.
“As VAANI steps into its 20th year, I took a moment to look back on the road we have travelled, and then to look forward to see how far we have come.
Remembering where we started from, I marvel at how much we have achieved together.
I am humbled by the contribution and commitment of every single member of VAANI, who added their unique individual strengths to our team.
I rejoice with the children and families of VAANI, at their successes and will be forever grateful to them for having given me a purpose that has filled my life, and made me a more caring human being.
In the final analysis, the success of VAANI can be measured in the many lives which have been changed for the better, and from the continuing efforts to widen the outreach to touch every hearing impaired child and their families.”
Brinda Crishna, Founder
From the very beginning, VAANI was powered by one powerful idea:
Every deaf child deserves to live with dignity, joy, and the ability to communicate with their world.
The Early Years (2006–2018): Planting the Seed
Imagine a mother who used to think her son was just being disobedient—throwing tantrums, refusing to follow instructions.
She thought he was being naughty.
Until she sat through a session at VAANI and realised he wasn’t being difficult—he was begging to be understood.
During these foundational years, VAANI focused on:
- Educational interventions
- Parent empowerment
Through direct education programs for deaf children aged 0–14 years, the foundation brought language, learning, and belonging into the lives of hundreds of families.
These weren’t just classes—they were lifelines.
Turning a New Page: Innovation and Expansion
In 2019, VAANI launched the Newborn Hearing Screening Program, in partnership with public hospitals and government agencies.
For the first time, deafness could be identified at birth—allowing for early intervention and better life outcomes.
In 2020, as the world reeled from the COVID-19 pandemic, VAANI adapted.
Instead of retreating, the team innovated:
- Blended learning methods
- Digital content
- STEM education for deaf adolescents
The goal: to build resilience, curiosity, and future-readiness in children often excluded from such opportunities.
Celebrating two decades of unwavering dedication, VAANI Deaf Children’s Foundation—established in 2005—has consistently stayed true to its mission of empowering Deaf children and families through communication , dignity, and opportunity. A heartfelt salute to our passionate team, courageous children and families, and steadfast patrons—your trust, resilience, and commitment have shaped our journey.
Marissa Dunne, Head of Programmes
In 2022, VAANI launched the Youth Transition Program, expanding its work into vocational training—digital literacy, tailoring, and self-defence—equipping deaf youth for independent livelihoods.
Imagine a deaf teenager in a small town, once told she’d never be able to work.
Now imagine her stitching school uniforms or teaching self-defence to younger girls—her hands speaking volumes.
The Dream Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
Now, as VAANI turns 20, a new dream is taking shape.
Groundwork is underway for India’s first Higher Education Academy for Deaf Students in West Bengal.
This six-year post-10th curriculum will blend:
- Academics
- English language training
- Life skills and vocational pathways
This isn’t just a milestone. It’s a movement.
“As VAANI completes 20 years, I look back with deep humility and immense pride. We began with a small group of mothers, meeting in tiny rooms or under staircases—wherever we could find space to connect with our deaf children. Those same mothers, who once wept with uncertainty, are now our proud parent leaders, inspiring and mentoring others.
Our passionate teachers, who stood by us through thick and thin, are today leading programs and training the next generation of educators. Our deaf children—once struggling to be understood—are now completing higher education and shaping their own successful futures.
What started as a focus on education has now expanded into newborn hearing screening, vocational skill-building, and holistic support across the life cycle of a deaf child. We’ve seen it all, and today, we stand truly humbled.
What began as a small voice for the deaf has grown into a powerful movement for inclusion, empowerment, and rights. This 20-year milestone is not just a celebration of our journey—it’s a call to action for the future. Together, let us ensure that every deaf child in India is heard, seen, and given the opportunity to thrive.”
— Sumedha Joglekar, Executive Director
This is where a deaf student who once struggled to write their name will one day sign their college diploma.
Why It Matters
Most deaf children in India are born into hearing families—families who, through no fault of their own, don’t know how to connect.
The result?
A lifetime of miscommunication, frustration, and unspoken pain.
A child is labelled “slow” or “disobedient”—when they are, in fact, intelligent, observant, and deeply emotional.
A parent feeling unloved, when the child simply doesn’t have the words to say “I love you.”
This communication gap doesn’t just hurt relationships.
It limits dreams, shuts doors, and chips away at confidence—until the child stops trying to be heard.
VAANI’s mission is to close that gap—one conversation, one connection, one child at a time.
What We’ve Built Together
- 20,000+ deaf children reached
- 40,000+ parents trained and empowered
- 11,000+ teachers and professionals sensitised
- 40,000+ community members educated
Behind each number is a story:
The father who finally understood his daughter’s dream to dance.
The young man who found his calling in coding.
The girl who now wants to become a teacher.
The mother who learned to stop blaming her child—and started cheering for him.
The Heart of VAANI
At its core, VAANI is not just an organisation—it’s a family.
A family that believes in the right of every deaf child to live a full life—with communication, respect, love, and opportunity.
This journey of twenty years is a tapestry of:
- Struggle
- Perseverance
- Learning
- Joy
And yet, this is only the beginning.
With our dedicated team, resilient families, and unwavering supporters, we look forward—with hope and fire in our hearts.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Here’s to a world where no deaf child ever feels left behind.
