Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday praised the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru for its decades ofservice to people with speech and hearing impairments, calling it a premier institution in South Asia. He was speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of AIISH, inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu.
Chief Minister recalls personal experience
Siddaramaiah shared a personal note, saying he had once visited AIISH for an ear problem and received treatment. “I was asked to return if I faced the issue again, but fortunately, it never recurred,” he said. The Chief Minister also recalled that AIISH was allotted 10 acres of land in his Varuna constituency for expansion.
Highlighting government support, Siddaramaiah said that ₹32 crore has been earmarked in the 2024–25 Budget under the Shravana Sanjeevini scheme. This initiative supports cochlear implantation for children from economically weaker families suffering from speech and hearing impairment.
Union minister emphasises national expansion
Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel lauded AIISH’s contributions and noted that its success had inspired the creation of similar institutions in other parts of India. She mentioned that the foundation of a new institute was laid in Kanpur in 2024.
“AIISH gives hope to parents of speech and hearing impaired children and ensures a brighter future for them. It can also collaborate with AIIMS and other medical institutions to expand its impact,” Patel said.
Jewel in Mysuru’s crown
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao described AIISH as a “jewel in the crown of Mysuru,” alongside other premier institutions such as the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and the Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL).
He pointed out that the Shravana Sanjeevini scheme was first launched in 2015 during Siddaramaiah’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister, and its continuation reflected the state’s commitment to helping the underprivileged.
Presence of dignitaries
Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, and AIISH Director M. Pushpavathi were also present at the ceremony.
A legacy of service
Established in 1965, AIISH has grown into a premier centre for research, clinical services, and training in the field of communication disorders. Over the years, it has provided critical care to thousands of people while producing highly skilled professionals.
As it celebrates its diamond jubilee, the institution is being recognised not only for its past contributions but also for its potential to shape the future of healthcare for those with speech and hearing challenges.