Diplomat Correspondent
Kathua: DD, For eight years, Akshay Sharma, a young boy from a poor family in Duggan, lived in silence.
Born with a cleft lip and palate, he underwent surgery at the age of
three but still could not speak. His parents—struggling with poverty and unable to afford
treatment—had almost lost hope of ever hearing their son’s voice.
Everything changed when an Army doctor serving in the area came across Akshay. Moved by
the family’s struggle, he carried out basic check-ups and found that with proper therapy, the
boy could learn to talk. Since no such facilities were available in the remote village, the officer
studied speech therapy techniques himself and began working with Akshay in his free time.
Patiently, he taught him sounds, then words, and finally simple sentences. After months of
practice, Akshay began to speak with growing confidence.
The first time he called out to his parents, their eyes welled with tears.
For them, it was not just
a sound—it was a miracle.
A dream they had buried deep in their hearts had come alive. Their home, once filled with silent prayers, now echoed with Akshay’s joyful chatter.
What began as one soldier’s act of kindness has touched an entire community. The Army
doctor’s compassion has left a lasting mark in Duggan—reminding all that the Army not only
guards the borders but also heals hearts, and in the most unexpected moments, brings hope
where it is needed most.DD
