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Operation Drishti Brings Hope and Vision to Remote J&K Villages

Newz Daddy Health Care Updates

The first-of-its-kind advanced surgical eye camp called Operation Drishti was organised by Command Hospital, Northern Command (Udhampur) from 18–22 November 2025 in collaboration with the surgical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. The camp exceeded expectations: more than 2,000 people were screened and over 400 surgeries were performed, including complex procedures for cataracts, glaucoma and retinal ailments.

Those screened and treated included serving personnel, their dependents, war widows (Veer Naris) and local civilians. They came from remote and far-flung areas of Jammu & Kashmir such as Udhampur, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar and Ramban. The initiative shows how access to quality eye care is being extended beyond major cities into challenging terrain and vulnerable communities.

The surgical team was led by Brigadier S.K. Mishra, a distinguished ophthalmic surgeon and Head of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (R&R). He has the rare distinction of performing surgery on two Presidents of India. This underscores the high level of expertise brought to the camp.

Senior officials and dignitaries addressed or attended the closing ceremony. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually addressed it and appreciated the efforts of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and the Northern Command. The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, also virtually congratulated the team. The Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, was present at the function.

On 20 November, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh (Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; PMO) visited the camp, interacted with patients and toured the Ophthalmology Department. He was briefed on the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, patient-care programmes and ongoing free eye-screening initiatives. He praised the Indian Army’s role beyond wartime, highlighting its humanitarian contribution in peacetime.

Among the beneficiaries was 72-year-old Surinder Singh from Poonch. He had battled blindness for 2-3 years and had also witnessed devastating shelling in his neighbourhood during Operation Sindoor, which claimed the lives of breadwinners in nearby families. Post-surgery, he became a champion for others, mobilising fellow citizens who had been impacted by conflict. Another beneficiary was 96-year-old Rajkumari Devi, who regained clear sight and was able to witness the world once again in full clarity.

There was also retired soldier Abdullah Shafeeq, aged 56 from Mendhar, who played a crucial role in the coordination and facilitation of these specialised ophthalmic facilities for residents affected by the recent conflict. His story underlines how local veterans and community members helped bridge gaps and ensure outreach reached those in need.

The genesis of this medical mission lay in a shared vision of service. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated it following a request from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Army Chief instructed the Director-General of AFMS and DG Medical Services (Army) to meticulously plan and execute the camp. A specialised eye-care facility was set up within the operational area of Udhampur to ensure high clinical standards.

This eye camp is more than a medical event. It highlights how the Indian Army’s medical services, together with state and central leadership, are working to deliver essential healthcare to remote, conflict-prone regions. The scale—2,000 screened, 400 surgeries—is significant, especially for areas that often lack easy access to specialist care. The choice to include war widows, civilians, and service families emphasises inclusiveness and humanitarian concern. This initiative strengthens trust, resilience and social cohesion in a region that has faced hardship.

For communities in J&K, where terrain, distance and conflict can hamper healthcare access, camps like this serve as lifelines. They not only restore vision physically but symbolically restore hope, dignity and mobility. The personal stories—of Surinder Singh and Rajkumari Devi—bring to life what these figures mean. For the Army’s medical personnel, it demonstrates their dual role: defender and healer.

In everyday terms, a 72-year-old man sees again and helps others; a 96-year-old woman witnesses the world clearly once more; a retired soldier acts as coordinator and agent of change. The sheer numbers—over 2,000 screened—underline how many lives might change. The high-level leadership contact points show how seriously the institution treated the mission. The collaboration between the tertiary-care Army Hospital in Delhi and the operational Command Hospital in Udhampur shows how resources can be deployed into challenging zones when there is will and planning.

Operation Drishti stands as a model of healthcare outreach in remote and conflict-affected areas. It shows what can be achieved when the military health system, civilian leadership and local communities work together. The restored sight of hundreds is evidence of this collaboration in action. Many more will benefit in the longer term as the infrastructure, trust and protocols built become part of the region’s healthcare fabric.