Experts from India, Pak to develop common sign language

INDORE: Following the repatriation of the deaf and mute Indian girl Geeta from Pakistan, the sign language experts from the two countries are developing a 'common sign language'.

"We are trying to develop a common sign language of India and Pakistan, so that the people like Geeta can be helped easily. We are talking with experts from Karachi's School For Deaf," said Gyanendra Purohit, a sign language expert, here.

Purohit himself was associated with the effort to bring back Geeta, who had landed in Pakistan accidentally as a child and stayed there for over 10 years.

She is currently lodged at an institution for the hearing and speech impaired here.

Purohit said because of some cultural differences, there is a slight difference between the sign languages used in India and Pakistan.

Purohit also said that the sign language should have a Constitutional status, and he would soon write to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

The Union Government must find Geeta's parents urgently and he would provide all possible help for it, Purohit said.

Geeta was reportedly only 7-8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express at Lahore Station by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago.

She was adopted by the Edhi Foundation's Bilquis Edhi and lived with her in Karachi. She returned to India on October 26.