UDHAMPUR, NOVEMBER 22: For countless souls across the rugged, remote borderlands of Jammu and Kashmir, life had become an exercise in enduring the silent tyranny of darkness, their world reduced to indistinct shapes and memory.
Into this pressing need, an Advanced Surgical Eye Camp at Command Hospital Northern Command Udhampur, roared into existence, representing a monumental and compassionate healthcare offensive.
The advanced surgical eye camp successfully screened a total of 1500 individuals, including serving personnel, dependents, Veer Naris (war widows) and local civilians.
The initial comprehensive screening skillfully conducted by a diverse team of ophthalmologists stationed across the operational area of Jammu and Kashmir, was instrumental in mobilizing patients from remote, far-flung border regions under the leadership of Maj Gen Sanjay Sharma, Commandant Command Hospital Udhampur. Individuals journeyed from places like Poonch, Jammu, Rajouri, Ramban and Udhampur, overcoming significant geographical barriers to seek care.
The pinnacle of the camp’s success was the deployment of cutting-edge, specialized ophthalmological equipment, representing the world’s current best practice, which facilitated sophisticated cataract, retina and vitreous surgeries.
Among the countless beneficiaries the story of Surinder Singh, a 72-year-old patriarch from Poonch, resonates with a particular, heartbreaking intensity. Surinder Singh was not merely battling blindness for 2-3 yrs, he was carrying the heavy, indelible scars of loss. He had witnessed the unfolding tragedy in his very neighborhood during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ where the relentless shadow of conflict stole the lives of his neighbors—the vital breadwinners, the pillars of their families.
He transformed his gratitude into action, becoming a tireless champion who used his restored sight and his intimate understanding of grief to personally mobilize those fellow citizens paralyzed by sorrow and hardship.
Similarly, Abdullah Shafeeq, a retired soldier, 56-year-old from Mendhar, proved pivotal in coordinating and facilitating the provision of these specialized ophthalmological facilities to residents impacted by the recent conflict.
The camp delivered life-changing results, perhaps best exemplified by Rajkumari Devi, 96 yrs, having received the gift of clear sight, now has the precious ability to witness the world in full clarity.
The genesis of this impactful medical mission lay in a shared vision of service, conceptualized by the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, following a request from the Honourable Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha.
Responding swiftly to this call for vital healthcare outreach, Rajnath Singh personally instructed the Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, to ensure the immediate and successful conduct of this specialized camp within the operational area of Udhampur.
The critical responsibility for executing and overseeing the camp’s successful completion was entrusted to Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, the Northern Command Army Commander, underscoring the mission’s dual purpose: to provide expert medical care while showcasing the compassionate, human face of the Indian Army.
Rooted in its commitment to the nation, the Army has consistently been a forefront pillar in delivering essential medical facilities under the banner of Operation Sadbhavna, driven by an unwavering spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
To guarantee clinical excellence, the Army Chief further directed the highest echelons of military medicine—DGAFMS Surg Vice Admiral, Aarti Sarin and DGMS Army Lieutenant General, C G Muralidharan—to meticulously plan and execute the camp’s operations.
From shells to sight: Army medics bring hope
