Organization: Anwesha Kolkata
Title: World Hearing Day 2026
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
World Hearing Day 2026
Description:
World Hearing Day 2026
In observance of World Hearing Day 2026, Anwesha Kolkata organized a series of impactful events in February and March. These initiatives, held in collaboration with various partners, aimed to promote ear health, advocate for a “deaf-friendly” society, and provide essential clinical screenings to the community.
1. Public Awareness Program
Date: March 1, 2026
Venue: Ranu Chhaya Mancha, Kolkata
In partnership with Disability Activists Forum West Bengal (DAFWB), a vibrant public awareness campaign was held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The event commenced with a keynote address emphasizing the critical importance of hearing care. Following the speech, a local troupe performed themed songs and a street play designed to sensitize the public towards building an inclusive, deaf-friendly environment.
To ensure community participation, the program featured:
Open Art Session: Attendees of all ages expressed their perspectives on auditory wellness through creative drawings.
Interactive Quiz: Engaging the audience on hearing health facts.
The event was a resounding success, reaching approximately 250 participants amidst the festive atmosphere of Holi, the festival of colors.
2. Youth Empowerment: School Awareness Session
Date: March 5, 2026
Venue: United Missionary Girls’ High School, Bhawanipore, Kolkata
Anwesha Kolkata conducted an interactive session for over 225 students, focusing on empowering the younger generation as “Hearing Health Ambassadors.” The curriculum included:
The global significance of World Hearing Day.
Practical strategies for safe listening practices (e.g., managing volume levels on personal devices).
Fostering empathy and inclusion for the Deaf community.
The session concluded with an energetic quiz, where students demonstrated high levels of retention and enthusiasm.
3. Community Hearing Screening Camp
Date: March 6, 2026
Venue: Garfa 12 Pally Club, Kolkata
To provide accessible healthcare services, a Free Hearing Screening Camp was organized from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This initiative targeted the local community, hailing from low-income families, offering professional auditory assessments to individuals who might otherwise lack access to specialized ENT services.
4. Expert-Led Wellness Seminar
Date: February 15, 2026
Venue: Collaboration with Anaabil, a quarterly educational magazine by young school going writers
Kicking off the season’s activities, Anwesha Kolkata and Anaabil hosted an evening session featuring Dr. N V K Mohan, an eminent ENT Specialist from CMRI Hospital. Dr. Mohan provided expert guidance on the medical aspects of ear health and shared preventative measures to maintain long-term auditory wellness and the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss at all ages.
5. Digital and Local Outreach
Throughout the month, Anwesha Kolkata amplified its message by distributing World Health Organization (WHO) awareness materials translated into Bengali. These resources reached a diverse audience through:
Publication of Bengali poster in Anaabil Children Magazine (500 hardcopies of circulation)
Direct mail to more than 125 schools and social media campaigns.
Sharing through Anwesha newsletters.
Physical distribution at all event venues.
Through these multifaceted approaches combines with social media posts and circulation of newsletters Anwesha Kolkata aimed at bridging the societal gaps in understanding hearing loss and its impact at different ages by creating awareness and sensitivity involving experts in the field. 2026 World Hearing Day celebrations marked a significant step toward a more inclusive and informed society.
Primary site: SEAR- India
Region: SEAR
Secondary sites:India
Impactful Story:
The Power of Persistence: A Turnaround Story
The awareness event began with empty chairs and sceptical police under a sweltering afternoon sun. Refusing to give up, our troupe used drums and music to attract passersby, quickly drawing a large crowd. Soon the venue was packed with energy. A renowned theatre celebrity stopped to watch and later offered praise and a thoughtful speech. The audience joined quizzes enthusiastically, and artists from nearby exhibition created paintings for WHD. Despite exceeding our time permit, police quietly stayed back, enjoying the event. What began in silence ended as a triumph of community involvement.
General Photos
School Awareness Programme – From Community to Classroom
Hearing Screening Camp
Poster publication in a Bengali Children’s Magazine
Painting on ear and hearing care
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: No
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: children and adolescents, older adults
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: No
Participation of influencers: Yes
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: Yes