Mysuru: Stating that lakhs of children in the country are suffering from speech and hearing disorders, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) Vice-Chancellor Dr. B. Suresh has regretted the lack of efforts being made to address disability issues.

He was speaking at the ‘Graduation Day’ of JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing at Rajendra Centenary Hall in JSS Hospital premises here on Tuesday.

Maintaining that 15 percent of the global population is suffering from speech and hearing impairment, Dr. Suresh said that there are seven crore people with disabilities in our country, with a significant number among them being mentally retarded persons.

Bemoaning that not much efforts are being made to find solutions for disability issues, he stressed on the need for developing a sign language for communication among the disabled as in the western world.

Pointing out that sign language development is still at a nascent stage in our country, he underlined the need for scientific development of sign language for the hearing impaired.

Regretting that there was no proper dictionary on sign language, Dr. Suresh highlighted the need for experts to work on the issue.

He noted that the increasing number of female students preferring Speech and Hearing courses is a good development.

Former AIISH Director Dr.  N. Rathna in his address, said that opting for a profession in Speech and Hearing carries with it a huge responsibility.

Highlighting the opportunities for Speech and Hearing graduated, he emphasised on the need for focussing on serious studies in the subject.

Awardees

T. Anitha Mani bagged Suttur Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji Award for Best Performance; Sowmya Hanasoge – Best Doctor; Bharani – Highest marks in 2018-19 and Ranjani Dorai – Highest marks in 2017-18.

Sangakani Krupaiah Ganeshan – Highest marks in Audiology (2018-19); Maria George – Highest marks in Audiology (2017-18); Chitkala Sharma – Highest marks in Speech Medicine (2018-19); Rakesh T. Kumar – Highest marks in Speech Medicine (2017-18).

K. Vinod – Best Student; Monika Ratnamala – Best Performer in Pharmaceutical Science; D. Nagashri – Highest marks in MASLP (2017-18) and S. Neha – Highest marks in Speech and Hearing Medicine.