In a gesture of solidarity, a special Republic Day event was organized on Sunday for the residents of Badhaal village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, where a mysterious illness has claimed 17 lives. Over 350 villagers are currently under observation at three separate facilities following the tragic deaths, which include 13 children.
Republic Day Celebrations with Affected Families
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abhishek Sharma marked the 76th Republic Day with the residents of Badhaal, emphasizing the district administration’s commitment to their welfare. The event began with children from the village singing the national anthem, earning praise from the DC for their spirit and enthusiasm.
Sharma highlighted the importance of nurturing national pride among the younger generation and expressed his condolences to the grieving families. He assured them of the administration’s unwavering support and ongoing efforts to raise awareness about government welfare schemes.
“Our priority is to ensure that every family in Badhaal is aware of and can access the benefits of welfare schemes, particularly those designed for the tribal population,” Sharma stated. He urged residents to actively engage in awareness campaigns and avail opportunities in health, education, livelihood, and social welfare initiatives.
Relief Efforts for Displaced Families
The revenue department recently distributed blankets to families displaced from Badhaal, providing some relief during their challenging circumstances. The village has been deeply affected since 17 residents from three families fell ill and died under mysterious circumstances between December 7 and January 19.
Special Lunch for Villagers Under Observation
In addition to the Republic Day celebrations, a joint lunch was arranged for the affected villagers by National Conference leader and Budhal MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary, alongside the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri administration.
MLA Choudhary and GMC principal AS Bhatia joined the villagers for the meal at the hospital’s observation facility and pledged full support to help them recover from the tragedy.
Currently, 53 villagers are being observed at the medical college, while nearly 300 others are housed at the Government Nursing College and the Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School. The authorities have assured continued efforts to provide relief and address the needs of the displaced families.
The Republic Day celebrations served as a poignant reminder of resilience and unity in the face of adversity, as officials and villagers came together to honor the nation while mourning their loss.
