In the remote hills of Duggan village in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, a young Indian Army doctor has achieved what many thought was impossible. Captain Saurabh Salunkhe, Regimental Medical Officer of 7 SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY, gave voice to 8-year-old Akshay Sharma, who had lived in complete silence for eight years due to a congenital condition.
This heartwarming story highlights the humanitarian face of the Indian Army, showing how its medical officers are not only warriors but also healers serving border communities where healthcare access remains a challenge.
The Silent Struggle of Akshay Sharma
Akshay was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that affects facial structure and speech. While surgery corrected the deformity at age three, the crucial speech therapy that follows was financially out of reach for his family.
His father, Kulwant Sharma, works as a civilian laborer with the Army, while his mother, Santosh Devi, takes care of their modest home. Despite their hardships, the family’s greatest wish was simple—to hear their child speak. But years passed in silence, leaving Akshay isolated and his parents heartbroken.
The Healer in Olive Green: Captain Saurabh Salunkhe
An alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune, Captain Salunkhe had earlier served at 167 Military Hospital, Pathankot, before being posted to Kathua. His dual role as a doctor and soldier placed him in charge of both troops and the local population who depend heavily on Army medical outreach in such remote areas.
During a medical camp in June 2025, he examined Akshay carefully and realized the condition wasn’t permanent. With proper therapy, the boy could learn to speak. Since no speech therapy center existed in the village, Captain Salunkhe took it upon himself to learn speech therapy techniques online and design a custom program for Akshay.
Healing Through Innovation: A Step-by-Step Journey
For two to three hours daily over eight weeks, Captain Salunkhe trained Akshay using structured exercises:
- Stage 1: Strengthening Basics – gargling, tongue and jaw exercises, breathing control.
- Stage 2: Learning Sounds – nasal vs oral differentiation, labial and palatal sounds.
- Stage 3: Speech Development – throat sounds, combining syllables into words, then sentences.
His persistence finally paid off—Akshay spoke his first words in eight years. The moment when he called his parents “Mama” and “Papa” brought tears of joy to the family and applause from the entire village.
Community Impact and Army’s Humanitarian Role
Lt. Col. Suneel Bartwal described the transformation as “nothing short of a miracle.” The case has now become a shining example of Operation Sadbhavna, the Army’s flagship outreach initiative that improves healthcare, education, and community relations in Jammu & Kashmir.
Akshay now speaks fluently, participates in class at Duggan High School, and has blossomed into a confident student. His story has strengthened civil-military relations in Kathua, reminding people that the Army stands by them not just in war, but in life.
The Broader Message: Doctors in Uniform
This incident demonstrates the spirit of AFMC-trained doctors, who combine medical expertise with innovation in challenging terrains. Military doctors often serve as the only healthcare providers in remote border villages—from running free cataract camps in Rajouri to setting up medical outreach in Arunachal Pradesh.
Captain Salunkhe’s extraordinary act shows how a soldier’s compassion can transform civilian lives and build trust between the Army and border communities.
Conclusion: When Medicine Meets Humanity
For Duggan village, this was more than a medical milestone—it was a miracle of compassion. For the Indian Army, it was a reminder that their battle is not only on borders but also against human suffering.
Captain Saurabh Salunkhe’s story proves that sometimes the greatest victories are not on battlefields, but in helping a child say “Mama” after years of silence.
Akshay’s laughter now echoes in his home, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the healing touch of a doctor in uniform. Truly, heroes can wear stethoscopes beneath their olive greens.
