Itbp Wins Over Kashmiris
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
VET ITBP
24/2/07
ITBP wins over Kashmiris
Op Ashwa was launched in the C.I grid on 15 July 2002 at Baltal during the Amarnath Yatra.
This op was an unprecedented unique attempt to establish a full fledged Veterinary Hospital at the Amarnath Base camp ,at 9000 feet above sea level, for alleviating the pain and suffering of 4000 civil ponies and mules, belonging to the economically depressed sections of the Kashmiri society, that were being utilised for carrying yatris and loads to the Holy cave , a to and fro distance of around 28 Km , through arduous and gruelling terrain.
Op Ashwa was conducted from 15/7/02 to 21/8/02, for a duration of 36 days, that makes it the longest running Veterinary Hospital for the civilians , in the history of this Force.
This success was made possible due to the constant encouragements of Shri DK Sharma, DIG(JK-2), who took a keen interest in this endeavour. He was the guiding force behind this compassionate effort of the Himveers, to win over the Locals.
This unmatched and unique endeavour was the brain child of Shi RL Manon, IG (Zone ), whose blessings were invaluable in the massive success of the ITBP Veterinary Hospital at Baltal. The local administration have requested him to make the presence of ITBP permanent during the Amarnath Yatra
The Vet Hosp was under command of Dr Sudhakar Natarajan,who holds a masters degree in Vet Surgery and Radiology, and was assisted by HC Ramesh Singh Slathia, HC Tashi Narphal and Ct Raghubir Singh.
The ITBP Veterinary Hospital provided cutting-edge therapy to the equines that lead to the economic empowerment of the poor Kashmiris tying to eke out a living during the duration of the yatra . This fact lead to overwhelming gratitude showered on ITBP by the civilians and the civil administration including saturation exposure in the national and local media , in direct response to the compassionate care provided with a superlative degree of professional competence. As per the locals , they have never seen such sophisticated and aggressive veterinary therapy provided to their bread-winning animals of burden, in their entire existence.
Statistics:
1. During the duration of Op Ashwa 1126 ( 1126) animals were successfully treated and 76 D.I. List animals were saved from sure death, after instituting prompt open-air surgery and administering life-saving intravenous therapy .
2. As apposed to Human medicine, Veterinary patients most of the times need aggressive life-saving intervention, as usually the animal is brought to the hospital on it's last leg , with one foot in the grave. Thus the contribution of the Vet Team can be gauged , by contemplating the massive number of animals that were touched with it's avant-garde merciful veterinary therapy.
3. Though this unparalleled effort of ITBP in intangible in monetary terms, it would be in the scheme to things to mention the economic savings and income generated for the J&K state.
4. The 1126 equines if left untreated , could never have been utilised by the Ponywallahs to ferry yatris and load to the holy cave. Thus it would have been a massive economic loss to them. The prompt therapy ensured that these ponies and mules regained their normal physiological status within a short time and thus could be of some service to the muleteers.
5. Assuming that one treated pony/mule was used by it's owner for at least two trips to the cave and back, the civil muleteer would have earned an average of Rs2000/- Thus multiplying this amount with approx 1000 animals treated the income generated comes to Rs20,00,000/- ( twenty lakh rupees).
6. Taking the average cost of one mule / pony to be Rs 30,000/- , the saving of 70 animals from sure death, generated an economic saving of Rs 21,00,000/- ( twenty one lakh rupees)
7. It can clearly be deciphered that the total saving/income generated for Kashmir comes to Rs 41,000,00/- ( FORTY ONE LAKH RUPEES), which is not an insubstantial amount, taking into account the total income generated for the locals through this yatra. This is a highly conservative and modest estimate.
Budget:
The ITBP Veterinary Hospital was given a budget of Rs 32282/- for purchase of medicines and equipments.
Unique features:
1) This was the longest running and the most successful Veterinary help to the civilians in the history or this Force.
2) ITBP was the only organisation that was geared towards to service to the poor Kashmiri Gujjars/ Bakarwala who were muslims, whereas all other security forces were solely devoted towards the well-being of the hindu pilgrims.
3) The ITBP Team was under the command of a specialist surgeon , therefore major surgeries were successfully conducted under anaesthesia, that prevented economic collapse of numerous Kashmiri families, who many a times owned only a single animal.
4) The Indian Army , that had a small Vet Aid Post , for the first time referred serious patients to ITBP Vet Hosp, taking into account the superior facilities and skills of the Himveers.
5) Veterinary therapy were also provided to Army and BSF Security Dogs deployed during the Yatra , for anti-sabotage measures.
6) Massive economic saving/ income generated for the locals.
7)Hearts and minds of the locals were won due to the dedication and dexterity of the Vet Team.
8) In spite of shunning publicity, the compassion and dedication of the ITBPeans could not be ignored by the media. Significant exposure was given to the Force in Indian Express, The Hindu, Kashmir Times, Mirror of Kashmir, Punjab Kasheri ect.
ITBP has proved that it comes out with flying colours in whatever task is assigned to it.
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN
DEPUTY COMMANDANT
VET, ITBP, NE-I, ITANAGAR
Related Tags: kashmir, dr sudhakar natarajan, deputy commandant, itbp, win hearts and minds
A VETERAN VETERINARY SOLDIER
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