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Lalita Iyer
Lalita Iyer

TELANGANA

In a first in India, hearing-impaired man to get driving licence

If you see a logo with a hearing impaired mark and a legend below saying, 'Driver is deaf — Please watch out,' you are in Hyderabad. The Telangana state transport department finalised the logo to be used by the hearing impaired drivers on their vehicles.

manikanta Manikanta Annapragada

The logo was designed by city-based graphic designer Manikanta Annapragada who will be the first person to obtain a driving licence under the ‘hearing impaired’ category in the country.

In November 2016, the Union road transport and highways ministry had directed all states to issue driving licences to people with hearing disability. The state RTA also sought the help of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences seeking its opinion. The AIIMS said that hearing disability might not be a problem for driving as long as the person has good eyesight and is healthy. After this, the ministry of roads and highways sent circulars to all the state governments on October 28, 2016. 

The Telangana government in turn issued a circular on April 29, 2017 to all the RTOs, DTOs and JTCs to issue licences to the persons with hearing disability. Learning that Manikanta was a graphic designer, the RTA then requested him to give a few design samples. Manikanta gave eight designs, of which one was picked up. This will be displayed on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle. 

"I am grateful to the Telangana government for allotting driving license for people who are challenged by hearing impairment. I had been desperately waiting for this step by the government. It was a good opportunity to make logos for hearing impaired drivers. As per the discussions with the RTA officials, I made eight different logos. The logo signifies that the 'driver is deaf, please pay attention'. It is a way to spread awareness and to avoid accidents and a request for other people to cooperate. I am very happy with the choice made. The logo is simple and self-explanatory," says Manikanta.

He says: "I strongly feel that there must be many more persons like me who are waiting for a driving license. Being a graphic designer, I thought making a logo is more important. And more than money, I strongly feel that my logo is priceless as it will be helpful for so many others like me."

Manikanta is a hearing-disabled person from Moti Nagar. He says, "Despite having everything, I had to face the challenges as I lost my hearing power. But just because of that I did not keep cribbing. I made myself strong and confidently started moving ahead in life. At the age of 18 years, I began learning to ride gearless two-wheeler all by myself by cautiously looking into the side mirrors. I practiced it cautiously. With the constant support and encouragement of my father A. Sivarama Prasad, my mother late Varalakshmi and my friends, I began riding geared bike four years ago. I was never scared as I was having faith in God and myself.."

Manikanta had brain fever when he was a month-old, which led to the hearing problem. His teachers were his mother and younger sister who taught him lipreading. Manikanta says he can understand both English and Telugu. He was home-schooled by his mother. 

“There is no problem in driving and with vehicles in the rear because I use two rear view mirrors," he says.

deaf

Manikanta started drawing when he was eight and he pursued that line and turned a professional in 2007 after completing a course in fine arts. “I completed animation courses at NIMSME and began working in 2010. Now, I am working as a background artist and graphic designer for the animation team for Healthsignz Technologies."

Manikanta, who has already obtained a Learner's Driving Licence and has completed the driving test, is waiting to receive the licence. "I have never been an undisciplined driver; I always follow traffic rules and drive slowly. Till date, I have not faced any problems. I am very happy to inform you that, I rode my bike to Vijayawada and back all alone, several times. With God’s grace, I have not faced any problems as I found all the people very cooperative and supportive. This has made me confident and a stronger person."

Hyderabad city and the Outer Ring Road have witnessed a number of fatal accidents recently. Two days back state cabinet minister P. Narayana's son Nishith and his friend Raja Ravichandra were killed after their Mercedes SUV rammed into a metro pillar. They died on the spot at 3 am in the morning. In another incident, four IIT students also were killed after they lost the control of their vehicle.

Manikanta also thinks the roads are unsafe. “The Telangana government and Traffic Police of Hyderabad are putting equal efforts in curbing undisciplined driving. However, it is possible only when people think responsibly and contribute for a safer Hyderabad."

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Topics : #Telangana

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