That one text became the foundation of what was then India’s first and largest community of hearing impaired digital entrepreneurs — Rising Queens, a movement that had grown from one woman to over 4,000, and showed absolutely no signs of slowing down. Rising Queens recently brought its much-anticipated Hyderabad Queen Contest to the city — a vibrant, celebratory event, packed with a ramp walk, live music and dance, product showcases and recognitions. “It’s a stage for queens. A spotlight for you,” as their own words put it. And for Deepika, that spotlight had always been about more than just an event. Talking of this community, she had built her life’s work around a community whose world she had to consciously, deliberately choose to enter. “At first, I relied a lot on text, writing, and team members who knew Indian Sign Language (ISL) to communicate,” she recalled. Over time, she began learning ISL herself — not because it was required, but because she felt it was right. She added, “For me, learning sign language wasn’t just about communication. It was about respect — showing the community that I’m willing to meet them halfway. I’m still learning, and I make mistakes, but the women in Rising Queens are patient and teach me along the way.”
