She was rejected in interviews. Now she leads 1,000 deaf women building incomes

Some of her most powerful conversations happen without a single spoken word.

On Instagram, her hands move swiftly in sign language, telling stories, sharing ideas and connecting with thousands who understand her language. For many watching, especially young women from the deaf community, those gestures carry something deeper — visibility, confidence and possibility.

But not long ago, things were very different.

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In 2023, when Kritika Dhunde from Nagpur started searching for work, interviews often ended early. It wasn’t because she lacked skill, but because employers did not know how to communicate with a hearing disability candidate.

Today, she leads a network of more than 1,000 deaf community women across India, many of whom are earning, learning and stepping into leadership for the first time.

GROWING UP DEAF IN A WORLD BUILT FOR HEARING

Kritika grew up in Nagpur and passed Class 12 in February 2007, at a time when awareness and opportunities for deaf women were far more limited.

“I grew up in Nagpur and my journey as a Deaf and Mute woman has shaped how I see the world today,” she says. “Communication was always different for me, and that often meant navigating spaces that were not designed for people like me.”

School often felt isolating.

“My school years were sometimes difficult because most teachers and students did not know sign language,” she recalls. “It was hard to understand lessons and join class discussions, so I often depended on writing, lip-reading, and visual learning.”

But those years also built resilience.

“Those early experiences helped me become more patient and observant, and they shaped my determination to build opportunities for myself,” Kritika says.

FAMILY THAT BUILT CONFIDENCE

Through it all, her family remained her strongest support system.

“My family has always been my biggest support system,” she says. “They never made me feel limited because of my disability.”

Her parents, in particular, shaped her belief in independence.

“My parents played the most important role in building my confidence. From childhood, they always supported and encouraged me.”

Today, Kritika is married and a mother of two daughters. Her journey towards financial independence has directly impacted her family life.

“I spend some of my income on my daughters’ education,” she shares. “Now I don’t need to take money from my husband for small expenses. This opportunity helped me become more independent.”

WHEN JOB INTERVIEWS ENDED EARLY

In 2023, when she entered the job market, reality hit hard.

“When I started looking for work in 2023, I realised that the biggest challenge was communication,” she says. “Many interviews would end quickly because employers were unsure how to communicate with someone who is Deaf and Mute.”

The experience was frustrating.

“At times it felt like the communication gap was being misunderstood as lack of ability. But the challenge was never about skill. It was about access and understanding,” she explains.

Kritika with her daughters

A NETWORK THAT CHOSE TO ADAPT

That same year, while searching online, she came across entrepreneur Deepika Bhatia’s profile and discovered a women-led entrepreneurial network linked to the Oriflame community.

The initial sessions were not easy.

“I depended on live captions to follow the discussions,” Kritika says. “Sometimes conversations had to pause or slow down so I could understand everything clearly.”

But something stood out.

“What stood out to me was that people were patient and willing to adapt.”

That willingness soon turned into structural change.

“An interpreter from Nagpur began attending sessions. Video calls replaced long written instructions. Members of the leadership team even started learning basic sign language,” she says.

The shift was transformative.

“These changes made a huge difference for me. Once communication became smoother, I could participate more actively,” she says.

“Accessibility was not treated as a one-time effort. It became part of the structure itself,” Kritika adds.

FROM PARTICIPANT TO LEADER

As Kritika found her footing, she began helping other deaf community women navigate the same system.

“When they saw someone from their own community moving forward, it encouraged them to take that step,” she says.

The network grew organically, driven by shared experiences and peer support.

Today, Kritika leads a community of more than 1,000 deaf community women across India.

BUILDING REAL INCOME AND INDEPENDENCE

Within this ecosystem, women earn through product sales, training support and leadership roles.

“For many Deaf and Mute women, this ecosystem has created a structured way to earn and grow with confidence,” Kritika Dhunde explains.

Earnings vary, but the impact is clear.

“Some women can earn up to around Rs 70,000 per month, which helps them support their household and move toward financial independence,” she says.

For many, this is the first time they are contributing financially.

“Beyond the income itself, it has brought a sense of independence and dignity,” she adds.

SIGN LANGUAGE FINDS A DIGITAL VOICE

In 2024, Kritika also began posting videos in sign language on Instagram.

“I started sharing videos in sign language on Instagram as a way to express myself and connect with more people,” she says.

For her, it is both identity and awareness.

“Sign language is an important part of my identity It shows that communication can happen in many different ways.”

The response has been powerful.

“Many Deaf women message me saying that when they watch the videos, they feel understood,” she says.

Some young girls even use her videos to help families learn sign language.

“I also receive messages from hearing audiences who say the videos helped them understand sign language for the first time,” she says.

REDEFINING COMMUNICATION

Through her work and content, Kritika is challenging deep-rooted assumptions.

“Many people still believe that communication only happens through speech,” she says.

“Sign language is expressive, emotional and very powerful.”

Her visibility is slowly shifting perceptions, showing that communication is not limited to spoken words.

A MESSAGE THAT GOES BEYOND HER STORY

For Kritika, financial independence has changed not just her life, but how others see her.

“It brings confidence and a sense of dignity. It also changes how people around you look at your abilities.”

But her larger message is for institutions.

“Differently abled women do not lack talent, ambition or determination. What they often lack is access,” she says.

And for young deaf community girls, her words come from lived experience:

“Your voice may not always be heard in the same way as others, but that does not make it any less powerful. Your dreams are valid, your abilities are real and your path is yours to create.”

In a world that once struggled to understand her voice, Kritika Dhunde is now helping thousands of others find theirs, and be heard.

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Published On:

Mar 19, 2026 11:14 IST