Excelsior Correspondent
SIMARI, KARNAH VALLEY, Apr 14: In a landmark step towards inclusive development and national service, Simari, a remote border village in Karnah Valley today was fully electrified through a transformative joint initiative by the Indian Army’s Vajr Division and the Pune-based Aseem Foundation, under the aegis of the Chinar Corps.
The electrification initiative has been dedicated to the memory of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, who laid down his life in the line of duty.
In a poignant tribute, the inauguration ceremony on April 14 was led by Col Mahadik’s mother, Kalinda Mahadik, alongside Commander of the Tangdhar Brigade and Sarang Gosavi, founder and Managing Director of the Aseem Foundation.
Perched along the Line of Control, the village lying across in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir, Simari holds unique strategic and democratic significance, being designated as Polling Booth No 1 of India.
Until now, the village’s 53 households had limited access to electricity and relied on primitive cooking methods. That has now changed dramatically with the installation of solar microgrids and the distribution of clean LPG cooking kits, ushering in a new era of dignity, opportunity and progress for the residents.
This initiative is part of the broader Vibrant Villages Programme of the Government of India, which seeks to enhance infrastructure and livelihood opportunities in India’s border regions.
It showcases the Indian Army’s evolving role—not only as protectors of the nation but as catalysts of development and empowerment.
The Chinar Corps, in collaboration with Aseem Foundation, has consistently championed rural electrification, clean energy solutions and community upliftment across Jammu & Kashmir.
Their work in Simari underscores a deep-rooted commitment to nation-building through innovation, inclusion, and grassroots engagement.
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