Rajouri DC Takes Governance to Border Village: Block Diwas Camp Sets Up Shop in Bhawani
Rajouri DC Devansh Yadav visited border village Bhawani to hear grievances and provide healthcare, veterinary services, and livelihood support.
In a significant move to bring administration to the doorsteps of those living in the border regions, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav chaired a Block Diwas programme in the border village of Bhawani, located in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The initiative was designed to ensure that residents of the border area receive government services and that their grievances are addressed directly by the high-ranking official. Thep programme served as a convergence point for multiple departments, transforming the village into a hub of administrative and social services for a day.
Healthcare Outreach: Fighting TB in the Borderlands
One of the primary focuses of the camp was health. As part of the TB-Free India Campaign 2.0, medical teams deployed portable X-ray equipment to conduct screenings right in the village. This allowed residents to avoid traveling long distances to hospitals for basic diagnostics.
Dr. Manish, an Ayush Medical Officer from Nowshera, explained that the team was providing both diagnostic services and essential medicines. He noted that they were using a portable X-ray machine from the Nowshera Sub-District Hospital (SDH) to screen patients and provide Ayurvedic treatments based on their medical complaints.
Supporting this effort, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Nowshera, Dr. Chander Parkash, emphasized that the camp provided comprehensive healthcare facilities to the residents of the border village.
Veterinary Services and Agricultural Support
The Animal Husbandry Department also played a key role in the camp. Veterinary Pharmacist Naveen Choudhary stated that the stall set up by the the department was providing routine veterinary services and raising awareness about various Government of India schemes, specifically highlighting the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
This visit marked the first time the Deputy Commissioner had visited this specific border area since joining Rajouri, making the veterinary and agricultural outreach particularly impactful for the local farmers and livestock owners.
Empowering Women through Livelihoods
The event also showcased the potential for economic independence for local women. Through the UMEED scheme of the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) exhibited their products.
Thep programme allowed these women to showcase their work and and promote their livelihoods, as explained by JKRLM representative Sahil Sharma.
Direct Dialogue with the Administration
The core of the the la borat ory of the event was the public darbar, where DC Devansh Yadav heard grievances from the residents. Nowshera Tehsildar Ram Pal confirmed that the direct interaction allowed border residents to bring their issues to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner for immediate resolution.
Former Sarpanch Sunil Choudhary praised the initiative, stating that the importance of the Block Diwas camp, being organized in the last panchayat of the Nowshera block along the border, is that it allows basic grievances to be heard and provides information on government schemes that often feel distant to those living on the edges of the country.
The programme brought together officials from rural livelihood missions, health, and animal husbandry, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the delivery of government services in the border area.