International Cochlear Implant Day: Tuning in to the music of life

Meri Dhun, a stirring digital video released by Aditya Birla Group, describes how its cochlear implant initiatives have gifted the joy of hearing to over 200 hearing-impaired children

From a world of silence, from the inability to hear, to live only on actions and from this state of despair to transit to the sound of music, to share stories with one another of adventures and misadventures through speech and sound is among Aditya Birla Group’s humble CSR endeavours. Implemented through our cochlear implant project.

An electronic device, the cochlear bypasses one’s ear and stokes the auditory nerve that sends the signal straight up to the brain. It is a permanent cure for the hearing disability. The International Cochlear Implant Day, observed on February 25, reminds us of the life-changing scope of cochlear implants. However, each cochlear has a huge implementation cost which put them out of the reach of many families.

Aditya Birla Group's cochlear implant project is carried out under the aegis of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, chaired by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, with the unflinching financial support of Essel Mining and Aditya Birla Capital.

Up until now, the Group has helped over 200 children with cochlear implants and upgrades. The Group's ongoing commitment includes 40 implants and approximately 10 upgrades every year. It is touching to see the unmistakable whiff of joy as both parents and children witness the glorious moment of transformation.

A part of this is captured in a 90-seconder digital film titled ‘Meri Dhun’ (loosely translates as ‘My Tune’). Set to the tune of one of our highly energising patriotic songs ‘Hum Honge Kamyaab’ (much like: ‘We can, we will succeed’), the film captures a day in the life of Ashu, a student who has recently undergone a cochlear implant surgery.

By introducing hearing-impaired children to a world filled with the sweet sounds and music of life, Aditya Birla Group is enabling them to have fuller childhoods and achieve their true potential as a part of the mainstream educational system.

To know more about Aditya Birla Group's CSR initiatives, visit: https://www.adityabirla.com/csr