Outreach in remote terrain
Seeing Hope Anew – How Op Drishti Restored Vision for Thousands in J&K: The Op Drishti programme was conducted by the Indian Army at Command Hospital, Northern Command in Udhampur (J&K) from 18-22 November 2025. Over 2,000 people were screened and more than 400 advanced eye surgeries were performed for conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and retina disorders.
Static GK fact: The Indian Army’s medical arm (Armed Forces Medical Services) supports both war-time and peace-time operations.
Bridging the healthcare gap
Residents from far-flung districts like Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri, where specialist ophthalmic services are scarce, benefited directly from the camp. The Army’s presence in such outreach states how non-combat functions support national welfare.
Static GK fact: Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019.
Medical high-performance team
A specialised team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi, led by Brig SK Mishra (Head-Ophthalmology), collaborated with the Northern Command medical staff. The team used world-class equipment to perform high-precision surgeries even in a field-camp setting.
Static GK fact: The Rajasthan Ophthalmological Society says cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in India.
Personal stories of renewal
Among the beneficiaries was a 72-year-old from Poonch who regained sight after years of blindness and went on to mobilise fellow villagers for treatment. A 96-year-old woman also received surgery, highlighting the age-inclusive nature of the outreach. These examples show how vision restoration translates into social dignity and community engagement.
Strategic value beyond medicine
Beyond clinical care, Op Drishti strengthened civil-military bonds in a sensitive border region. The participation of the Lieutenant-Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and the Army Chief underscored the high-level recognition of such missions.
Static GK fact: Civil-military medical outreach is a component of the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ which seeks community trust in border areas.
Long-term benefits
The camp serves as a model for future medical outreach in hard-to-reach regions. It enhances local infrastructure, connects specialist services with remote populations and demonstrates how defence resources can serve public health.
Static GK fact: India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) targets reducing blindness prevalence to 0.3 % by 2025.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Seeing Hope Anew – How Op Drishti Restored Vision for Thousands in J&K:
| Topic | Detail |
| Operation name | Op Drishti |
| Date | 18–22 November 2025 |
| Location | Command Hospital, Northern Command, Udhampur (J&K) |
| Screened individuals | Over 2,000 |
| Surgeries performed | Over 400 |
| Lead surgeon | Brig SK Mishra |
| Key conditions treated | Cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders |
| Main beneficiary groups | Civilians, veterans, war-widows (Veer Naris) |
