Pall of gloom descends on AIISH

Dr Vijayalakshmi passes away in London

The colleagues and staff of the premier Institute were in a state of shock. Vijayalakshmi, who was in London on a two-month vacation to visit her daughter Vibha, suffered a massive heart attack and died. She was one among the experts in the area of speech and hearing impairment in the Country and was appointed the Director of AIISH in Sept 2006. Dr Vijaylakshmi had bagged numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions in the field of speech. She was also member of key committees and editorial boards working in the field of research in speech and hearing in the country. She had represented India for several World Health Organisation (WHO) programmes.

Born in Akki Hebbal in K R Pet, Mandya, Vijayalakshmi completed her graduation and post graduation in speech and hearing in merit and served in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Bangalore and with AIIMS New Delhi, before moving to Mysore as the Director of AIISH. It was during her tenure that the institute raised into fame all across the country and globe for its work. She had initiated one year diploma course in hearing, language and speech (DHLS) programme through quasi-distance mode which is run in about 11 centres across the country.

The in-house research publications as well as masters' dissertations, independent projects and PhD thesis have been digitised and are accessible globally.  In-charge Director of AIISH Savithri said that Vijayalakshmi was a hard worker and was responsible for many reforms and changes in the Institute.