How Did President Murmu's Visit to Mysuru Unfold?

Mysuru, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, offered a warm reception to President Droupadi Murmu upon her arrival at Mysuru Airport on Monday, as she embarks on a two-day visit to participate in a variety of events in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah welcomed the President with a bouquet, alongside Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who was also in attendance.

During her stay, President Murmu will take part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru.

On Tuesday, she plans to join a breakfast meeting with members of the Mysuru royal family.

Following a visit to the historic Mysuru Palace, she is expected to depart for Chennai.

After inaugurating AIISH's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remarked, "Detecting a child's speech and hearing issues while still in the womb is a significant achievement. The Mysuru-based All India Institute of Speech and Hearing deserves high praise for this."

He emphasized the need for continued advancements in this domain, stating that the state government has allocated 10 acres of land for the institute and is committed to offering all necessary support.

The Chief Minister highlighted that AIISH is one of the leading institutions in Asia dedicated to addressing speech and hearing disorders, which is a source of pride for both Mysuru district and the state.

"This institute has empowered those without a voice and has brought speech into the lives of individuals who are unable to hear. Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in Mysuru is indeed a matter of pride for us all," asserted Siddaramaiah.

He further noted that while all human organs hold importance, eyes and ears are particularly critical.

According to the 2011 National Census, Karnataka is home to roughly 3.3 lakh individuals with speech and hearing impairments, constituting 0.5 percent of the overall population.

"These individuals are not merely statistics but are living embodiments of relentless struggle. Society and the government must take it upon themselves to safeguard and support them with utmost diligence," Siddaramaiah expressed.

He recalled that AIISH, founded in Mysuru in 1966, has been a premier national institute for human resource development, research, treatment, rehabilitation, and education concerning speech and hearing challenges.

The institute has garnered national and international acclaim, with the World Health Organization recognizing it as a "Centre of Excellence" and the Union Department of Science and Technology designating it as a "Science and Technology Institute," which he acknowledged with gratitude.

He also mentioned that the state government's Department of Health and Family Welfare has allocated space in district and taluk hospitals, along with community health centers, for outreach service centers and newborn screening units associated with AIISH.

Highlighting state initiatives, Siddaramaiah noted that under the government-sponsored cochlear implant program, "Shravana Sanjeevini", Rs 32 crore has been earmarked in the 2024-25 budget to provide free cochlear implant surgeries for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

To enhance AIISH's clinical and rehabilitation services, the state government has granted 10 acres of land at Varuna village in Mysuru district at no cost.

He added that the Mysuru City Corporation has initiated projects worth Rs 2.55 crore within the institute's premises, which include constructing an amphitheater for differently-abled children and developing facilities that are friendly to the differently-abled, a park, waiting room, and a museum dedicated to speech and hearing-impaired children.

"It is through such premier institutes that we have been able to develop technology to detect communication disorders even during the fetal stage. The institute is also instrumental in raising societal awareness about identifying and treating such issues," he said.

On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation to all experts, professors, staff, and students associated with AIISH for their efforts towards fostering a healthier society.

"With its illustrious history of 60 years, I am optimistic that this institute will reach even greater heights, engage in essential research to permanently prevent speech and hearing impairments, and illuminate the world," concluded Siddaramaiah.

In attendance were Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Karnataka's Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.