By M S Nazki
The most scenic village in the Poonch district Topi Pir Of Bufliaz block in Surankote area consisted many houses with a great population. Its residents belong to the traditional grazier Gujjar and Bakkarwal community and their main source of income is from livestock. Seeng the initiative of Indian Army , some experts, locals, organizations and services played officers suggested ‘that this area is remote and lacks road connectivity with the Deera ki Gali Bufliaz Road . In addition, Topi Pir doesn’t have any hospital facility dispensary, primary school, electricity or water storage facilities.
Like people in other remote areas, the older generations of Topi Pir may have adjusted themselves to a primitive way of life as well as lack of basic amenities and opportunities. However, the present generation is more aware and aspires for better educational facilities and access to other civic conveniences. With the center along with state and UT administrations working on a war footing to provide basic amenities and infrastructure, such expectations from the impoverished people of Topi Pir is but natural.
Appreciating the legitimate aspirations of its residents, Udhampur based Northern Command of that Indian Army has taken the considered decision of ‘adopting’ and making the Topi Pir a model village as part of its Op Sadhbhavana project. Working in close coordination with the UT and district administrations, the army plans to undertake various projects to make Topi Pir a model village
Accordingly, this village will see a host of developmental initiatives in the next to next in the field of infrastructural development, health, education, human resource and skill development. While construction of a road to connect Topi Pir with the DKG-Bufliaz Mughal Road will greatly improve accessibility, provision of water storage facilities and execution of a solar energy project will provide running water and reliable source of electricity to the villagers.
The setting up of a vocational training centre will be an invaluable asset that will provide the youth with the basic competence to acquire requisite skills and thereby enhance their employment prospects. Regular conduct of medical and veterinary camps will facilitate timely medical attention to the villagers and their livestock respectively while a community centre with indoor recreational facilities will provide an opportunity for people of all ages to congregate and interact with each other.
‘Adoption’ of Topi Pir by the Indian Army for making it a model village isn’t the first such initiative. On the contrary, it’s part of an ongoing process of the Indian army’s untiring and multifaceted outreach to improve the habitat and quality of life of locals living in remote areas.
The deluge of success stories reported by highly reputed and independent sources recounting how thousands of people living in far-flung areas in UTs of J&K have benefitted from the Sadhbhavana projects set an exemplary scene for itself and as such this public oriented welfare projects like, coaching of skills,education like centres for children which is deserved due appreciation.
