Title - Visit to Rochiram T.

Thadani High School for the Hearing Impaired and

“Mirchi and Mime” restaurant
Campus – Mumbai
Date – 30th September 2016
Venue - Rochiram T. Thadani High School for the Hearing Impaired, Mirchi and
Mime
Cohort – BBA September 2016
Organizer –

Event Brief –
On the last Friday of September the Mumbai Jags experienced something new.
They visited the Rochiram T. Thadani School for the Hearing Impaired, a school,
in Chembur, Mumbai, built from the ground up to diagnose, educate and
empower children with aural impairment. Later the cohort had lunch at Mirchi
and Mime, a restaurant with a twist – it is staffed with individuals who are
hearing impaired.
On arrival to the Rochiram Thadani School, the cohort was addressed by the
Principal, Mrs Poonam Sawant. She explained to the batch that just providing
hearing aids to students was not enough, since there are many forms of
deafness. As such, all students have to first pass through what she termed as
“the heart of the school” – the audiology laboratory. Here the students
impairment is diagnosed and the right equipment is chosen and customized for
them. After this , as was explained, is absolutely essential.
Mrs Sawant went on to mention that the school has three main goals. First one
being to train students to be able to integrate into regular schools – a goal that
they have been achieving on a regular basis. Secondly, for students who enrol
late ie. above the age of ten, the goal is to give them basic education and give
them vocational training so that they can be gainfully employed. Thirdly, for
students who empower very late, the school’s goal is to teach them basic skills
such as money management so that they can become self-employed.
After the session with the principal, the Jags split into many groups to observe
the classrooms in action. One of the first things that they noticed was the that
the student to teacher ratio was no less than eight is to one, arranged in a
semi-circular or “L” shaped formations so that the teacher and students have
visual contact at all times. The atmosphere in the classrooms were electric,
with classes doing everything from reading, singing and discussing.
The visit ended with a performance by the students of the school – the silent
Indian National anthem. The Jags all stood in attention as the students of
Rochiram T. Thadani School mimed the words of the anthem, a performance
which everyone in the room applauded.
Lunch was at Mirchi and Mime. The staff at Mirchi and Mime are hearing –
impaired, as such the Jags had to learn some sign language basics to
communicate with the servers. Moving the hand from side to side while
touching the thumb with the index finger meant “excuse me”. Touching the
palm to the chin and extending it forwards meant “thank you”. In addition,
each server had a special calling – card sign that was used signal them.
A lavish spread of various breads, kebabs, daal and curries later, the Jags
headed back, a day well spent.
The entire experience was an eye opener. The Mumbai Jags will unanimously
testify to that. When one thinks of aural handicap, or handicapped in general,
one thinks of a debilitating disability that stops someone from being a
functional member of society. All such myths and stereotypes were
demolished. The Jags were witness to the workings of Rochiram Thadani
School and to that of Mirchi and Mime, they know what people there are
capable of.