More than 200 nomads participated in the horse race and around 470 were treated during a medical camp organised by the Army in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir. As part of continued drive to ameliorate the lives of locals and to ‘Reach Out’ to population in remote areas of Doda District, Army on Wednesday organised Horse Race for Gujjar and Bakkarwals community as well as Medical and Veterinary Camp at the lush green meadows of Padri Gali located in remote Bhadarwah area of Doda District.
With the onset of summers, every year thousands of Gujjars and Bakkarwals from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir congregate on the pastures and meadows located in the higher ridges of Bhadarwah sub-Division. Army has been organizing the event since 2012 to address the grievances and mainstreaming the nomadic population. It took a month-long preparation and continued effort to organise this extremely popular event in the rugged terrain, said a Defence spokesperson. He said that a total of 210 Gujjar and Bakkarwal horse riders participated in the horse race conducted and was witnessed by more than 1,500 locals who had gathered from all over Bhadarwah area for this unique event. Medical and Veterinary Camp were also organised simultaneously, he added.
The spokesman said that 470 Gujjars and Bakkarwals, including ladies and children, were also provided medicine and medical care during the conduct of medical camp and 320 animals including 820 sheep and 1400 goats were also screened and provided medical care. The event also included fun games for children, folk music, dance and amusement sports for adults.
The General Officer Commanding, Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) witnessed the event and celebrated with Gujjar and Bakkarwals, he asserted. (UNI)
