A little contribution for the innocent smiles of nature

Ever felt that you got everything that you were trying to achieve through your studies, now that you are working in a comfortable office of a multi-million-dollar worth company, but still have a recess somewhere in your heart, an yearning to find a way to give back to the society, to the less privileged?

From past quite some time I was thinking on these lines. What could perhaps be the best way? To donate to an orphanage or an old age home, or plant trees?

Well, have already tried these things in the past. So this time, I thought, how about myself going to the places and meeting people in need of help rather than just donating money and hoping it would be used for the best.

I got an opportunity which I couldn't have missed. It was, to organize Free Medical Check-up camps in the remote villages in Kargil district. The roads to these villages are open only for 5-6 months i.e. from June to mid November. The villages have very limited or no access to medical facilities. 

We were a team of 9 people from UP, West Bengal and MP, carrying sponsored medicines arranged by our doctor, Dr. Santo(as his fans call him). Dr. Susanta Bhattacharya is an excellent mountaineer with 29 expeditions under his belt, a fantastic singer, sketching artist, writer and a mine of knowledge of Himalayan flora and fauna.

After all the formalities related to permission from the J&K government and Kargil jurisdiction were cleared, we were all set to enter the heaven on Earth, Kashmir. 

Rangdum is 127km away from Kargil town. It has a mere population of 250 adults and children. Situated at 3657m above sea level, it is famous for its Buddhist Monastery which has also been visited by the Holy Dalai Lama in the past. The villagers told us that they don't have a proper doctor in the village. They had only one local Hakeem (a learned man but without a medical degree), who they turn to, for all ailments.

We were given a government guest house to stay. The first day was spent appreciating the beauty of the village. We found Rangdum surrounded by high hills exhibiting different shades of brown and grey. There were snow covered peaks also, at a distance. While going towards the monastery which was further 5km away from the main village, we passed through huge fields of grass and small ponds giving striking reflection of the mountains. There were horses and cattle grazing in the field making the sight all the more mesmerizing.

Since the village is situated above tree line, there are no trees, only a special kind of shrubs called 'Sho '. This is similar to what grows in Tibet, called as 'Chharchhing' and 'Suru'. The villagers cut and store them in their house in the short summers they get, so that rest of the year it could be used as fuel for them and food for their cattle. The way they put them on their roofs, also serves as shelter during snowfall.

The day of medical camp was a busy one. Early morning, we set up a table outside the guest house. I started practicing the use of BP instrument on my fellow team members. It was fun :) We had already separated all medicines into different categories like Antibiotics, Antacids, Analgesics etc.

We then saw two ladies approaching. While one was speaking to the doctor, I spoke with the other. The lady was quite cheerful. We talked about her home, her daily routine, her family etc. When she said she has 3 kids, I gave her three toffees from my pocket. Just then she said she was expecting the fourth. We congratulated her, and the doctor gave her some Iron and other vitamins supplements. I checked BP of both the ladies, which was normal.

There were other patients, from age of 1.5 years to 80 years. Most of the elder ones were the Lamas from the monastery. I found High BP among the older Lamas so suggested them to decrease the salt content in their diet.

All the villagers were very happy and so were we to have gotten the opportunity to serve them.

The next halt for setting the camp was at Panikher and then Sankoo. We also wanted to set up camp at Parkachik but we had run out of medicines' stock.
I got to learn so much in those days in Kargil. The people there lead a very humble life, untouched by the glitz and clamour of city lives. The beauty of nature is so overwhelming as if the Gods have chosen to guard it themselves from getting faded. Most of all, the feeling of giving a tiny contribution for the well being of such people, was truly exhilarating!