Overview

• Akshay Sharma was born with a cleft lip and palate and remained unable to speak for eight years after surgery at age three because follow-up care was unavailable in his remote village.
• Captain Saurabh Salunkhe, an Indian Army physician posted nearby, dedicated two to three hours daily over eight weeks to learn and deliver speech-therapy exercises.
• The regimen progressed from simple gargles and tongue and jaw exercises to differentiating nasal and oral sounds before forming words and sentences.
• The breakthrough came when the Class 3 student at Duggan High School finally called out to his parents, who lacked funds for specialised treatment.
• Defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the initiative exemplifies the Army’s social outreach and has inspired hope across the Kathua community.