On the occasion of “World No Tobacco Day” 31 May, an online interactive chat session was organized by “Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology”, DY Patil Deemed to be University School of Dentistry Nerul, Navi Mumbai in association with “Indore Bilingual Deaf Academy” IDBA, the session was attended by Mr. Rajkumar Punjabi (Founder of IDBA) Director Monica Punjabi Verma, teachers and students of IDBA.

Dean (Dr. Omkar Shetty), Vice Dean (Dr. Avinash Tamgadge), HOD (Dr. Treville Pereira) and all teaching and non-teaching staff from D.Y.Patil University School of Dentistry participated.

The theme of the session was “TOBACCO AWARENESS-REACH THE UNREACHABLE”, which means Tobacco Awareness for Individuals with Disabilities (Hearing).

A question and answer discussion took place between the Faculties of the ORAL PATHOLOGY Department and the students of IDBA (especially students with disabilities). Dr. Treville Pereira, Dr. Sandhya Tamgadge, Dr. Swati Gotmare, Dr. Pooja Kamat, Dr. Mayura Mahajan, Dr. Saurabh Kumar, Dr. Abhishek Jadhav together answered the questions in Hindi, which were received in advance.

The entire program was beautifully translated into Indian sign language by Shuchi Patrick and Sumit Gawade ( faculties of IDBA). The session was moderated by Dr. Sandhya Tamgadge, (Professor of Oral Pathology).

About 94 participants participated in the 2-hour session.

E CERTIFICATES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO TRANSLATORS AND TO MISS ARADHYA GIRI ( 3 rd BDS STUDENT), WHO DID ALL THE DESIGNING WORK.

30 SEC video making competition on tobacco awareness in sign language was also conducted and 3 winners were declared.

Dean Dr. Omkar Shetty and HOD Dr. Treville Pereira addressed the gathering of IDBA.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Swati Gotmare.

MEETING WAS CONCLUDED BY NATIONAL ANTHEM in the form of video BY AMITABH BACCHAN IN INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE. ALL WERE REQUESTED TO REMAIN STANDING while it was being Played.