Smriti Nagpal

Smriti Nagpal is an Indian television presenter, sign language interpreter, and social entrepreneur. She worked for the Doordarshan network where she presented the morning news bulletin for the hearing impaired. She is the founder of Atulyakala, an organisation promoting deaf education and awareness of sign language. Nagpal has also co-founded the Hearken Café in Shahpur Jat, which is run by deaf employees. She is an advocate of Indian Sign Language. Nagpal was included in the BBC's 100 Women series in 2015, in the "30 Under 30" entrepreneur category,[2] In 2016, Nagpal received the Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Award in the Youth Category,[3] presented at International Civil Society Week in Bogotá, Colombia.[4][5][6]

Smriti Nagpal
Born1990/1991 (age 29–30)[1]
NationalityIndia
OccupationTelevision presenter
Social entrepreneur
Years active2010–present
TitleCEO and founder of Atulyakala

Biography

Nagpal joined the National Association of the Deaf at age 16 in response to her two older siblings who were hearing impaired. After getting her business administration degree, she landed a job with the state-run Doordarshan network as a news anchor where she was responsible for their hearing-impaired news bulletins.[7][8]

Nagpal founded Atulyakala at the age of 22. The company has a mix of deaf and hearing employees who communicate with each other using Indian Sign Language.[9] They sell products designed by deaf artists, works on design projects for publishing houses and conducts events to spread awareness about sign language.[7][8][10]

Nagpal co-founded the Hearken Café in Shahpur Jat with her cousin Virat in November 2016.[11] Its name taken from an ancient English word meaning "to listen", the café serves European cuisine.[11] The café's servers are deaf or mute and communicate in sign language.[12] Additionally, free sign language classes are held in the café, along with events such as mime acts.[11][12]

References
  1. Pieroni, Alessio (5 March 2014). "The 23 year old who is transforming lives". Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  2. "Smriti Nagpal, 25, India". BBC. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  3. Khaliq, Fazal (29 April 2016). "Swat activist Tabassum Adnan wins 2016 Nelson Mandela Award". Dawn. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  4. Matthew. "Activists honoured for their innovation and impact". www.civicus.org. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  5. "Swat activist Tabassum Adnan wins 2016 Nelson Mandela Award". The Pashtun Times. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  6. "Winners of Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel innovation award unveiled". Standard Media. Kenya. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  7. Bindrani, Kashika (23 June 2017). "Meet the Doordarshan sign language interpreter who also started a cafe run by deaf people". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  8. Tripathy, Nandini D. (13 December 2015). "Hearing empowered". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  9. Khan, Zeba (11 August 2017). "How do we speak with the 18 million Indians who are deaf?". WION. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  10. Vaid, Dharvi (21 November 2015). "BBC's 100 inspirational women: She has given a new frame to deaf artists". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  11. Jagannathan, Akanksha (20 February 2017). "It's Not Just About The Food In This Delhi Cafe, You Also Get An Education". ScoopWhoop. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  12. "Deaf and mute Delhi café educates people about sign-language while dining". Deccan Chronicle. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
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