Itbp Wins Over Kashmiris

SUDHAKAR NATARAJANmonetary terms, it would be in the scheme to things to
DEPUTY COMMANDANTmention the economic savings and income generated
VET ITBPfor the J&K state.
24/2/074. The 1126 equines if left untreated , could never have
ITBP wins over Kashmirisbeen utilised by the Ponywallahs to ferry yatris and
Op Ashwa was launched in the C.I grid on 15 Julyload to the holy cave. Thus it would have been a
2002 at Baltal during the Amarnath Yatra.massive economic loss to them. The prompt therapy
This op was an unprecedented unique attempt toensured that these ponies and mules regained their
establish a full fledged Veterinary Hospital at thenormal physiological status within a short time and thus
Amarnath Base camp ,at 9000 feet above sea level,could be of some service to the muleteers.
for alleviating the pain and suffering of 4000 civil ponies5. Assuming that one treated pony/mule was used by
and mules, belonging to the economically depressedit’s owner for at least two trips to the cave and
sections of the Kashmiri society, that were beingback, the civil muleteer would have earned an average
utilised for carrying yatris and loads to the Holy cave ,of Rs2000/- Thus multiplying this amount with approx
a to and fro distance of around 28 Km , through1000 animals treated the income generated comes to
arduous and gruelling terrain.Rs20,00,000/- ( twenty lakh rupees).
Op Ashwa was conducted from 15/7/02 to 21/8/02,6. Taking the average cost of one mule / pony to be
for a duration of 36 days, that makes it the longestRs 30,000/- , the saving of 70 animals from sure death,
running Veterinary Hospital for the civilians , in thegenerated an economic saving of Rs 21,00,000/- (
history of this Force.twenty one lakh rupees)
This success was made possible due to the constant7. It can clearly be deciphered that the total saving
encouragements of Shri DK Sharma, DIG(JK-2), whoincome generated for Kashmir comes to Rs 41,000,00
took a keen interest in this endeavour. He was the- ( FORTY ONE LAKH RUPEES), which is not an
guiding force behind this compassionate effort of theinsubstantial amount, taking into account the total
Himveers, to win over the Locals.income generated for the locals through this yatra. This
This unmatched and unique endeavour was the brainis a highly conservative and modest estimate.
child of Shi RL Manon, IG (Zone ), whose blessingsBudget:
were invaluable in the massive success of the ITBPThe ITBP Veterinary Hospital was given a budget of
Veterinary Hospital at Baltal. The local administrationRs 32282/- for purchase of medicines and
have requested him to make the presence of ITBPequipments.
permanent during the Amarnath YatraUnique features:
The Vet Hosp was under command of Dr Sudhakar1) This was the longest running and the most
Natarajan,who holds a masters degree in Vet Surgerysuccessful Veterinary help to the civilians in the history
and Radiology, and was assisted by HC Rameshor this Force.
Singh Slathia, HC Tashi Narphal and Ct Raghubir Singh.2) ITBP was the only organisation that was geared
The ITBP Veterinary Hospital provided cutting-edgetowards to service to the poor Kashmiri Gujjars/
therapy to the equines that lead to the economicBakarwala who were muslims, whereas all other
empowerment of the poor Kashmiris tying to eke outsecurity forces were solely devoted towards the
a living during the duration of the yatra . This fact leadwell-being of the hindu pilgrims.
to overwhelming gratitude showered on ITBP by the3) The ITBP Team was under the command of a
civilians and the civil administration including saturationspecialist surgeon , therefore major surgeries were
exposure in the national and local media , in directsuccessfully conducted under anaesthesia, that
response to the compassionate care provided with aprevented economic collapse of numerous Kashmiri
superlative degree of professional competence. Asfamilies, who many a times owned only a single animal.
per the locals , they have never seen such4) The Indian Army , that had a small Vet Aid Post ,
sophisticated and aggressive veterinary therapyfor the first time referred serious patients to ITBP Vet
provided to their bread-winning animals of burden, inHosp, taking into account the superior facilities and skills
their entire existence.of the Himveers.
Statistics:5) Veterinary therapy were also provided to Army
1. During the duration of Op Ashwa 1126 ( 1126) animalsand BSF Security Dogs deployed during the Yatra , for
were successfully treated and 76 D.I. List animals wereanti-sabotage measures.
saved from sure death, after instituting prompt open-air6) Massive economic saving/ income generated for
surgery and administering life-saving intravenousthe locals.
therapy .7)Hearts and minds of the locals were won due to the
2. As apposed to Human medicine, Veterinary patientsdedication and dexterity of the Vet Team.
most of the times need aggressive life-saving8) In spite of shunning publicity, the compassion and
intervention, as usually the animal is brought to thededication of the ITBPeans could not be ignored by the
hospital on it’s last leg , with one foot in the grave.media. Significant exposure was given to the Force in
Thus the contribution of the Vet Team can be gaugedIndian Express, The Hindu, Kashmir Times, Mirror of
, by contemplating the massive number of animals thatKashmir, Punjab Kasheri ect.
were touched with it’s avant-garde mercifulITBP has proved that it comes out with flying colours in
veterinary therapy.whatever task is assigned to it.
3. Though this unparalleled effort of ITBP in intangible in