Jammu, Feb 5: Reinforcing its people-centric approach to nation-building, the Indian Army on World Cancer Day intensified its civic and humanitarian outreach across Jammu & Kashmir, conducting large-scale health awareness drives, medical and veterinary camps, and supporting rural entrepreneurship initiatives in collaboration with academic and development institutions.
As part of World Cancer Day observances, the Army organised a series of awareness campaigns and expert lectures across remote and border areas of Poonch and Rajouri, including villages along the Line of Control, schools and community centres.
Medical officers interacted with local residents on early detection of cancer, common symptoms, screening methods, tobacco cessation, nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Over 5,000 civilians, including women, youth, elderly persons, ex-servicemen and their families, benefitted from these outreach programmes. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material was distributed, and participants were guided on accessing government health schemes such as Ayushman Bharat for follow-up care.
The initiative forms part of the Indian Army’s broader Healthcare for All mission, which also includes awareness drives on diabetes, hypertension and mental health.
In Nagrota, the Indian Army marked World Cancer Day with an interactive lecture and presentation at Usman Auditorium, White Knight Corps, focusing on early detection, timely diagnosis and treatment to improve remission outcomes.
The session highlighted early signs and management of cervical cancer, along with the preventive role of the HPV vaccine, and was attended by 112 families from White Knight Corps. Complementing the awareness effort, a free mammography screening camp was organised on February 3 and 4 at Trikuta Medical Centre, Nagrota, in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, benefiting 40 women, including Veer Naris, through early breast cancer screening.
Extending healthcare outreach to remote regions, the Indian Army conducted a Medical and Veterinary Camp at Sinthan Maidan, Kishtwar, addressing the needs of both residents and livestock-dependent communities.
An Army Medical Officer-led team provided free consultations, health check-ups and essential medicines, along with awareness sessions on hygiene and preventive healthcare.
Veterinary specialists from the District Veterinary Husbandry Department carried out vaccinations, deworming and health checks for livestock while educating villagers on disease prevention and animal care.
The camp benefitted 63 residents and 27 livestock, earning wide appreciation from locals facing limited access to healthcare due to difficult terrain.
In parallel, the Army partnered with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), the Nirmala Gajanan Foundation and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to launch a capacity-building programme aimed at promoting farmer-led branding and rural entrepreneurship under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
The training, titled “Strategic Tools and Planning Approaches for Strengthening RBSH Models through Farmer-Led Branding”, was inaugurated at SKUAST-J and is being attended by over 60 women from NRLM-mobilised Self-Help Groups in Rajouri and Poonch, along with progressive farmers.
The programme focuses on developing Rural Business Service Hubs (RBSH) into multi-purpose centres through branding, value addition, digital integration, financial linkages and regulatory compliance, including FSSAI, AGMARK, ISO certifications and trademark registration. SKUAST-J has sponsored boarding, lodging and travel to ensure maximum participation.
Defence Spokesperson said these initiatives collectively reflect the Indian Army’s sustained commitment to public health, women empowerment, rural development and inclusive growth, reaffirming its role as a trusted partner of the people in strengthening resilience, awareness and self-reliance across Jammu & Kashmir. (PIB)
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