Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is set to recognize sign language as a separate language in the state and within the next one year, 10 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) would be providing vocational training to those who are hearing and speech impaired. The new ITIs would be set up at divisional headquarters, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced, addressing such differently-abled children in Indore on Sunday.

MP would be the first Indian state to have ITIs in sign language. Chouhan also informed that two teachers for sign language will be placed in each school in the State.

Earlier, CM Chouhan had promised to bring in beneficial steps towards the welfare of disabled children and the institutes working for them, on his Indore visit on November 19.

Speaking of differently-abled children, Chouhan said that they had ample talent, but the State Government needed to assist them and provide them with opportunities to develop their talent further.

He announced that professional courses pursued by students who are hearing and speech impaired would be borne by the government, and the state would assign interpreters to assist them. The students, pursuing Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) or Diploma in Education (D. Ed), would be taught in sign language. Special sports facilities will also be introduced for them.

Chouhan gave gifts as well as economic assistance to the children. The CM also offered sweets to the kids.

Purvi, a girl who is hearing and speech impaired since birth, received financial assistance under the Mukhyamantri Bal Shravan Yojana, a scheme which provided successful Cochlear implantation in 46 Indore children. Purvi is able to speak and hear after the implant.

The Chief Minister got this Indore programme inaugurated by the children themselves.