Army Doctor Restores Eight-Year-Old’s Voice After Silent Eight Years in Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: An Army doctor stationed in Duggan village of Kathua district has given a new life to an eight-year-old boy who had lived in silence since birth.

Officials said that Akshay Sharma, son of Kulwant Sharma, a civilian labourer working with the Army, was born with a cleft lip and palate. Though he underwent corrective surgery at the age of three, his inability to speak left his parents devastated and hopeless.

Moved by the family’s struggle, Captain Saurabh Salunkhe, a young Army doctor, decided to intervene. With no speech therapy facilities available in the remote village, the officer took it upon himself to learn the techniques and personally train the child.

According to details, Capt Salunkhe began with simple gargles, followed by tongue and jaw exercises. He then taught Akshay the difference between nasal and oral sounds, moving gradually to labial, palatal, and throat sounds. After weeks of daily two to three hours of practice, the boy advanced from sounds to words and eventually to sentences.

The entire training lasted eight weeks. During this period, the Army officer devoted his off-duty hours to Akshay, carefully guiding him step by step until he regained the ability to speak with confidence.

The turning point came when Akshay finally called out to his parents. “For us, it was nothing short of a miracle. We had lost hope, but today our home echoes with his voice,” the boy’s father said with tears in his eyes.

Locals hailed the efforts of the Army officer, saying his compassion has left a lasting mark on the village. “This is not just about one child—it shows the Army’s human side and its bond with the people,” a community elder remarked.

What began as one soldier’s act of kindness has now become an inspiration for the entire region. Residents say the story is a reminder that the Army not only protects borders but also heals lives in the remotest corners of Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)