According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Braw Bandina village is 003024. Braw Bandina village is located in Litter tehsil of Pulwama district in Jammu &Kashmir, India. It is situated almost 8 km away from sub-district headquarter Litter (tehsildar office) and almost 20km away from district headquarter Pulwama. The total geographical area of village is 113.3 hectares. The villagehas a total population of 1,612 peoples, out of which male population is 806 while female population is 806. Literacy rate of Braw Bandina village is 42.31% out of which 47.77% males and 36.85% females are literate. There are about 173 houses in Braw Bandina village. The matter of the concern is that the residents of Braw Bandina are grappling with an array of dire challenges, as they lack basic infrastructure and essential services crucial for their daily lives. Their plight has reached a breaking point, with no road access, limited transport services, and a myriad of other pressing issues, has long been ignored by authorities, leaving its inhabitants to grapple with daily hardships.
1. Road and Transport Woes: The residents of Braw Bandina face a harrowing ordeal when it comes to road connectivity and transport facilities. The nearest transport service is situated approximately 5 kilometers away in Sangam, forcing villagers to undertake long and arduous journeys on foot. This situation is particularly dire for pregnant women, older individuals, and those in urgent need of medical attention.Ms. Farida Jan (name changed) a pregnant woman in the village, shared her ordeal, “Walking such a long distance, especially in challenging weather conditions, is extremely difficult for pregnant women like me. We need a proper road and transport service for our safety and convenience.” Abdul Gaffar (name changed), an elderly gentleman in Braw Bandian, shared his heartfelt testimony: “I have spent my entire life in this village, and I have witnessed generations come and go. We have always hoped for better road and transport connectivity, but it seems like a distant dream. It’s painful to see our children and grandchildren struggle to access even the most basic amenities. For people like me, who can no longer walk long distances, this lack of transport facilities is isolating. We have earned the right to age gracefully in our homeland, but without proper transport facilities, it feels like we have been abandoned.”
2. Healthcare Desolation: Residents of Braw Bandina village are grappling with a dire situation exacerbated by the absence of essential healthcare facilities within their vicinity. Presently, the village is devoid of any accessible medical services, further compounding the healthcare challenges experienced by its community members. To seek medical attention, the villagers are compelled to cover a distance of nearly 12kilometres to reach Bijbehara hospital, which is significantly distant from Braw Bandia. Mr.Rafiq Ahmed (name changed), a deeply concerned resident, has expressed his profound frustration, stating, “It is imperative that we establish a health center in our village without delay. Lives are at imminent risk due to the substantial time it takes to access critical medical assistance.” Mr. Khan(name changed) an elderly gentleman, voiced his concerns: “I have seen many of my friends and neighbors suffer due to the lack of healthcare facilities in our village. It’s not just about emergencies; even routine check-ups become an arduous task. The financial burden of traveling to the distant hospital is also overwhelming for many of us. It’s time we had a healthcare facility in our own village to ease our pain and suffering.” Additionally, Ms. Yasmin (name changed) a pregnant woman in her third trimester, tearfully described her situation: “My pregnancy has been a constant source of anxiety because there’s no healthcare center nearby. The uncertainty of whether I’ll reach the hospital in time when I go into labor is agonizing. We need a local healthcare facility where pregnant women like me can receive the care we need without the fear of complications during the journey.”
Residents of Braw Bandina find themselves at the crossroads of adversity, grappling with a multitude of issues that are fundamental to their well-being. Their urgent appeal to the government and relevant authorities is for immediate attention and assistance to alleviate their suffering and provide the basic amenities that are their right as citizens of the region. The dire situation in Braw Bandina serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for equitable development and access to essential services in even the most remote areas of our nation.
3. Educational Deprivation: The village also suffers from a dearth of educational opportunities. The absence of a permanent government school campus severely impacts the academic prospects of the children in the area, hindering their access to quality education.This not only increases the burden on parents but also puts children’s safety at risk. Mr. Bashir Mir (name changed) a father of three, lamented, “Our children have to cross difficult terrains to reach school. It’s disheartening to see them face these challenges daily.”
4. Water Quality Crisis: Residents have reported that the quality of the available drinking water is abysmal. Poor water quality has led to a surge in waterborne illnesses, affecting the overall health of the community. Access to clean and safe drinking water has become a pressing concern for the people of Braw Bandina.Sarah (name changed), a concerned mother: “Our children are falling sick constantly because of the water we have to drink here. It’s heart-breaking to see them suffer from diarrhea and stomach cramps. We can’t even give them a simple glass of water without worrying about their health.”
5. Government Apathy: Despite these dire circumstances, residents allege that their pleas for assistance have fallen on deaf ears. They claim that authorities have not recognized Braw Bandina as a backward village, leaving them in a state of despair and neglect. Thus, the residents of Braw Bandina find themselves at the crossroads of adversity, grappling with a multitude of issues that are fundamental to their well-being. Their urgent appeal to the government and relevant authorities is for immediate attention and assistance to alleviate their suffering and provide the basic amenities that are their right as citizens of the region. The dire situation in Braw Bandina serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for equitable development and access to essential services in even the most remote areas of our nation.
(The author a resident of Braw Bandina village is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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