Kathua, Aug 16 – In the remote village of Duggan in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army has brought hope and joy to a poor family by helping their young son, Akshay Sharma, regain his voice after eight years of silence.
Akshay, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, underwent surgery at the age of three. However, despite the operation, he remained unable to speak. His parents, struggling with poverty, could not afford further treatment and had nearly abandoned hope of ever hearing their child’s voice.
The turning point came when an Army doctor, posted in the area, met the boy. Deeply moved by the family’s hardships, the doctor conducted a preliminary assessment and concluded that with proper therapy Akshay might be able to speak.
With no specialised medical facilities available in the remote village, the doctor took it upon himself to learn speech therapy techniques. Using his free time, he began working with Akshay, first teaching him to form basic sounds, then words, and eventually simple sentences.
After months of consistent practice, Akshay finally began speaking with confidence. The emotional moment came when he called out to his parents for the first time. Overwhelmed with tears, they described the experience as nothing short of a miracle—a dream they had long buried now turned into reality.
Defence PRO Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal, said the soldier’s compassionate act has deeply touched the local community. The incident has reinforced the belief that the Indian Army is not only dedicated to guarding the nation’s borders but also committed to uplifting lives and healing hearts in the most unexpected ways.
For Duggan, the joyful sound of Akshay’s voice is now a living reminder of hope, resilience, and the Army’s humanity.
