Dhadkai
Village in Jammu and Kashmir, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dhadkai (also Dhadkahi) is a village in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, known as the "Silent Village of India" due to the high prevalence of hearing and speech impairments in the community.[2]
Dhadkai
Dhadkahi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Dhadkai Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India  Dhadkai Dhadkai (India) | |
| Coordinates: 33°04′20″N 75°51′13″E | |
| Country | India |
| Union territory | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Doda |
| Tehsil | Gandoh (Bhalessa) |
| Population (2011[1]) | |
• Total | 1,774 |
| Demonym | Gujjar Muslims |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Location
Population
The village has a population of around 1,774 people, comprising 970 males and 804 females.[4]
Hearing impairments
A significant portion of the population is affected by a congenital disorder that causes severe hearing and speech disabilities. The first reported case of hearing and speech impairment in the village dates back to 1901.[3][5]
Local sign language
The villagers use a local sign language to communicate with each other. This language is based on gestures commonly used by the hearing population, facilitating communication between hearing and non-hearing villagers.[4]
Genetic basis
Research has identified mutations in the OTOF, CLDN14, and SLC26A4 genes as major causes of hearing loss in Dhadkai.[5]