Thread by @SayftyCom

#sayftyspotlight #Thread

Smriti Nagpal @smriti_nagpal is a television presenter, social entrepreneur, & an advocate of Indian Sign Language. She is the founder of @atulyakala, a social enterprise that works with deaf artists & promotes awareness of sign language.

@smriti_nagpal grew up w/ 2 older hearing-impaired, siblings. So, she learnt sign language as a child. At 16, she started working as a sign language interpreter w/ the National Association of the Deaf India. She reads sign language news bulletins on @DDNational #sayftyspotlight

After she graduated with a degree in business, a deaf artist approached @smriti_nagpal & asked for a manual labor job. The artist had a graduate-level degree. Smriti was shocked by this request & realized that deaf & mute artists were struggling to find work #sayftyspotlight

Hence, @smriti_nagpal founded @atulyakala to help such deaf artists. Smriti wanted to show that, w/ equal opportunities, deaf artists can work in a studio alongside hearing artists. They sell sustainable products bags & journals designed by deaf & hearing artist #sayftyspotlight

@atulyakala spreads awareness on sign language & promotes inclusivity. They do amazing work in a country like India which has the largest deaf community in the world.

Smriti is also the co-owner of Delhi-based @cafe_hearken which is run by deaf & mute servers #sayftyspotlight

The servers interact with customers in sign language. There are framed hand instructions & tools in the menu that helps customers interact with the servers & place their orders. @cafe_hearken also teaches people sign language.

#sayftyspotlight

For her inspiring work, @smriti_nagpal was included in @bbc’s 100 women list in 2015. In 2016, Smriti was included in @forbes 30 under 30 Asia list. Smriti graduated with a Msc in Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship from @LSEnews in 2018.

Post by @alilayaal #sayftyspotlight