Assam Initiative Provides Free Hearing Aids to Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

Guwahati: In a commendable effort to assist those with hearing impairments, the Assam government organized a free camp where 200 economically disadvantaged individuals received hearing aids. This event, held at the Assam Water Centre in Basistha, Guwahati, was attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and aimed to support children and adults from Kamrup Metropolitan, Kamrup, Morigaon, and Nalbari districts.

This initiative, executed by the Deen Dayal Sravana Foundation in collaboration with the state’s National Health Mission, is part of a broader plan to benefit a total of 400 individuals in its first phase. CM Sarma noted that a second distribution is scheduled for September 26, targeting another 200 recipients from Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kokrajhar, and Goalpara districts.

The hearing aid distribution coincided with the 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a prominent figure known for advocating the upliftment of marginalized communities. CM Sarma emphasized the importance of empowering every individual as a pathway to societal progress, echoing Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Integral Humanism.

During his speech, Sarma expressed gratitude to Regula Ramanjaneyulu, the founder of the Deen Dayal Sravana Foundation, and other contributors, including Coal India Limited. He also highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that around 3.40 crore children globally are affected by hearing issues, with 30% of people over 60 experiencing hearing loss. Approximately 6.30 crore individuals in India face significant hearing challenges, underscoring the urgent need for such initiatives.