Director Message

From the Director’s Desk

It gives me immense pleasure to share that the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi, in collaboration with Amity University, Uttar Pradesh (Noida), is organizing the Purple Fest 2025 on 10th–11th September 2025.

The Purple Fest is a celebration of creativity, talent, and empowerment of Divyangjan. The event will feature:

• Art and Craft Exhibition showcasing unique products made by Divyangjan.
• Free Stalls for Divyangjan entrepreneurs to display and promote their work.
• Cultural Programmes highlighting artistic expression and diversity.
• CRE Programmes aimed at enhancing professional knowledge and skills.

This initiative not only provides visibility and recognition to the contributions of Divyangjan but also creates a platform for dialogue, inclusivity, and collaboration.

About ISL and ISLRTC

Sign languages are fully developed, visual-gestural languages that use hand movements, facial expressions, and body postures to convey meaning. Indian Sign Language (ISL) is the primary language of communication for the Deaf community in India. It plays a vital role in education, work, social interaction, and culture—especially in urban areas where Deaf networks are strong. However, in rural settings, many Deaf individuals continue to face isolation and limited access to sign language.

To bridge this gap, the Government of India established ISLRTC as an autonomous organization under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Centre is mandated to promote ISL, enhance accessibility, and develop a trained workforce in interpretation, education, and linguistics.

At ISLRTC, we believe that language is the cornerstone of identity, dignity, and empowerment. For the Deaf community, ISL is not merely a tool of communication, but a vibrant expression of culture, connection, and equality. Our mission is to elevate ISL as a recognized and respected language at par with spoken languages in India.

Over the years, ISLRTC has undertaken significant initiatives in research, interpreter training, curriculum development, teacher education, and awareness programmes. Through collaborations with educational institutions, government agencies, and civil society, the Centre continues to strengthen accessibility and inclusivity across the nation.

Invitation to Purple Fest 2025

The Purple Fest 2025 is an extension of this vision—an opportunity to celebrate talent, showcase entrepreneurship, and deepen awareness about ISL and the Deaf community.

I warmly invite you to join us at this unique celebration and be part of our shared journey towards building a more equitable, inclusive, and linguistically diverse society.