The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the diamond jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) at Mysuru, Karnataka today (September 1, 2025).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that, like other issues, speech and hearing related issues also require experts to identify the symptoms and diagnose them in the initial stages. Society should be aware and have an attitude of cooperation and sympathy towards people suffering from speech and hearing issues. She was happy that AIISH is playing an important role in all these areas.
The President said that as an all-India institute, AIISH should make continuous efforts to establish itself as a role model for institutes in India and abroad. She noted that the ‘Inclusive Therapy Park’ established by AIISH is serving as a model in India and abroad, which has been designed for children who are affected by communication disorders. ‘AIISH Arogya Vani’ is also a unique initiative designed to raise awareness about communication disorders and their early identification. She stated that, being a leading institute of the country, AIISH can also advise in national policy-making related to communication disorders.
The President said that today, technology is playing an important role in every field. The use of the latest technologies will prove to be very helpful in removing disabilities related to speech and hearing. But for the latest technologies and devices to reach the common people, their development and manufacturing in the country is necessary. For example, to make devices like Cochlear Implants available at a low cost, we must become self-reliant in their manufacturing. Institutions like AIISH should play a leading role in this direction. By promoting research and innovation in this field, AIISH can further strengthen its contribution to nation-building. This institute can collaborate with well-known research institutions of the country. She said that institutions like AIISH are expected to work with the spirit of innovation, with compassion and develop technologies that will enable people with speech and hearing impairment to not only lead normal lives but also contribute to society and the economy in their best possible way.
The President said that the Government, through various welfare initiatives, is creating a barrier-free environment for the divyangjan so that they can progress in their lives without any difficulty. Under the ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’, efforts are being made to provide equal opportunities for progress and development to the differently-abled people. She stated that by making public places, facilities and sources of information divyang-friendly, we will not only provide convenience to the divyang-people but will also make them feel that society cares for them.
During her visit to AIISH, the President interacted with divyang children undergoing treatment at the institute and also with divyang persons who are successful in various fields after getting treated at the institute.
