It felt nothing short of a dream something almost magical and beyond belief for Alaam Din Awan as he slowly made his way into the medical camp organized by the Indian Army in the far-flung reaches of Ganderbal district. For a man who has lived through more than a century, such moments are not just rare they are deeply moving, almost overwhelming.
At the astonishing age of 124, Awan carries within him the weight of time, history, and countless untold stories. Born during the era of the Maharaja’s rule, he has seen generations rise and fade, seasons come and go, and the world transform in ways that many cannot even imagine. Yet, despite witnessing such vast change, one thing remained painfully constant in his life lack of access to even the most basic medical care.
Never in all his years had he seen anything like this. A medical camp, set up in such a remote and inaccessible region, felt to him like a blessing descending from the heavens. As he looked around at doctors attending to patients, medicines being distributed, and people receiving care with dignity, his eyes filled with emotion. It was not just the sight of treatment it was the feeling of being remembered, of not being forgotten by the world beyond the mountains.
With trembling hands and a voice heavy with emotion, Awan expressed his heartfelt gratitude. For decades, he and countless others in these isolated areas had endured illnesses silently, often with no hope of treatment. The harsh terrain, long distances, and lack of infrastructure meant that even minor ailments could become life-threatening. In such conditions, this camp was not merely a service it was a lifeline, a rare moment of relief and reassurance.
The lives of the people here are shaped by constant movement and survival. Men and women, along with their herds, migrate to the high-altitude grazing lands, spending over seven months in dense forests, far removed from any kind of medical assistance. In those months, sickness becomes a silent companion, and help is often nowhere to be found. For them, the arrival of this camp before their seasonal migration carried even deeper significance it meant they could leave with some sense of security, knowing they had been cared for.
Speaking not only for himself but for his entire community, Awan made a humble yet powerful appeal. He urged the Army to continue organizing such camps in the future, so that people living in these remote and forgotten corners can have access to the care they deserve. His words were simple, but they carried the weight of generations who had lived without such support.
For Alaam Din Awan, this was more than just a visit to a medical camp. It was a moment of dignity restored, of hope rekindled, and of humanity reaching out across distance and hardship. In that fleeting moment, surrounded by care and compassion, his long journey felt just a little lighter as if, after all these years, the world had finally found its way to him.
