**Summary:**
On September 1, 2025, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, attended the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru, Karnataka. The President emphasized the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and hearing issues and the need for societal awareness and support for those affected. She commended AIISH's role in these areas and encouraged the institute to serve as a model for similar institutions both nationally and internationally.
The President highlighted the significance of AIISH's Inclusive Therapy Park and Arogya Vani initiative in addressing communication disorders. She suggested AIISH contribute to national policymaking related to communication disorders. Recognizing the role of technology, the President stressed the need for domestic development and manufacturing of assistive devices, such as cochlear implants, to improve accessibility and affordability. She urged AIISH to promote research and innovation in this field and collaborate with other research institutions.
The President affirmed the government's commitment to creating a barrier-free environment for "divyangjan" (differently-abled individuals) through initiatives like the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which aims to provide equal opportunities and make public spaces and information accessible. During her visit, the President interacted with children and adults undergoing or having completed treatment at AIISH.
Key Entities Referenced
President of India: The Head of State of India, currently Smt Droupadi Murmu.
Smt Droupadi Murmu: The current President of India who attended the event.
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing: An institute in Mysuru, Karnataka, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, focused on speech and hearing issues.
AIISH: Abbreviation for All India Institute of Speech and Hearing.
Mysuru, Karnataka: City in Karnataka, India where AIISH is located.
Inclusive Therapy Park: A park established by AIISH designed for children with communication disorders.
AIISH Arogya Vani: An initiative by AIISH to raise awareness about communication disorders.
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: A Government of India initiative aimed at creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities (divyangjan).
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE DIAMOND
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF ALL INDIA
INSTITUTE OF SPEECH AND HEARING
Posted On: 01 SEP 2025 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
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.Please click here to see the President's Speech
*****
MJPS/SR/BM
(Release ID: 2162782)