A Soldier's Kindness: Rekindling Hope in Jammu's Silence

After eight years of silence, eight-year-old Akshay Sharma finally found his voice with the help of an Army doctor in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

Born with a cleft lip and palate, Akshay's initial surgery did not suffice. His parents, struggling financially, couldn't afford further treatment until Captain Saurabh Salunkhe took personal initiative.

Salunkhe dedicated hours outside of his duty to teach Akshay speech therapy, ultimately enabling the boy to call his parents—a moment they described as miraculous. This story highlights the compassionate reach of the Army beyond their primary duties.

(With inputs from agencies.)