Manasi Marathe.
Namrata Raghunath Joshi became Manasi Mandar Marathe after getting married. Manasi is happy to talk about her disability. “I have been deaf since birth,” says Manasi, whose brother Prasad Joshi is also deaf. With both children facing hearing issues, their middle-class parents Raghunath and Smita Joshi had a hard time raising them.
In Manasi’s own words, “God always gives challenges to those who have amazing strength, and I believe my parents have that. They took both of us to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai for more help, tried everything they could, but couldn’t find a solution. Eventually, they decided to face it head-on and beat the problem. The family moved from the small village of Khadki in Sattari to Ponda for our education.”
Manasi’s journey through education has been diverse and full of challenges. She attended Lokvishwas Pratishthan School for Hearing Impaired Children in Ponda from class I to III. Then, she moved to Government Schools in Valpoi for classes IV to X, following the regular curriculum.
“The day I passed SSC was the happiest for my parents. My educational path may not have been traditional, but I take immense pride in achieving my class X qualification. Despite the challenges, I completed my education successfully, which shows my dedication and resilience,” says Manasi, who enjoys Maths, Marathi, dance, carom, trying new recipes, and making jackfruit papad for sale.
After SSC, she learned tailoring. “My journey as a tailor has been enriching. I gained valuable experience at Shilkar Shop in Ponda for two years. There, I honed my skills and learned from seasoned professionals. In 2017, I started my own tailoring business,” recalls Manasi. Venturing into entrepreneurship was thrilling yet challenging. But through hard work, she established a successful business that thrives today.
Throughout, Manasi’s family played a crucial role, supporting her tirelessly. Although she wasn’t part of the Children with Special Needs programme, Manasi studied diligently. Despite no sign language interpreter, she compensated with hard work and determination.
Manasi dreams of empowerment, growth, and sustainability. “As a deaf woman, I aspire to become a successful entrepreneur, owning my business and supporting the deaf community. I also want to provide job opportunities to fellow deaf individuals.”
Financial stability, independence, and a better future are central to Manasi’s aspirations. “I dream of breaking barriers and paving the way for inclusivity and acceptance. With hard work and dedication, I’m committed to turning these dreams into reality,” she says.
After marriage, Manasi’s family blends personalities and generations under one roof. With her father-in-law, mother-in-law, husband Mandar Marathe, and son Paras, Manasi strives to create a nurturing environment.
Her best friends, Anagha Joshi and Sharwari Kulkarni, are deaf too, enriching their friendship. “From navigating situations to supporting each other, our bond goes beyond friendship. We ensure clear communication through sign language, writing, or gestures. Sharing laughter and joy, we discuss dreams, ambitions, and plans for the future,” shares Manasi.
As a member of the Goa Association of the Deaf, Manasi suggests establishing Self Help Groups for deaf women to empower and develop skills in fields like jewellery making and tailoring.
She also stresses the need for increased awareness and accessibility to healthcare for deaf women. “I urge the government to prioritise education and awareness programmes, and ensure all schools have resources like Sign Language Interpreters to support deaf students. Implementing these suggestions can create a more inclusive environment for deaf women,” concludes Manasi.
