Parvaiz wani cniSrinagar, (CNI NEWS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday attended the valedictory ceremony of the 11th Mega Eye Surgery Camp conducted by the Indian Army under Operation Drishti, a humanitarian healthcare initiative aimed at extending

advanced ophthalmic services to people residing in remote and inaccessible regions of Jammu and Kashmir.Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the Indian Army, Armed Forces Medical Services and associated support personnel for their unwavering commitment and exemplary service. He stated that Operation Drishti embodies the ideals of service, compassion, courage and determination.A total of 364 vision-restoring surgeries were successfully conducted during the camps organised at Srinagar and Tangdhar in Kupwara district. Of these, 144 surgeries were performed in Srinagar, while 220 patients underwent surgical procedures at Tangdhar within a span of merely two days.Highlighting the significance of the Tangdhar initiative, Sinha noted that it constituted the first mega eye surgery camp to be organised in a border area. In spite of formidable terrain and demanding operational conditions, the Army and medical teams

established an underground operation theatre and successfully executed advanced ophthalmic procedures. Sophisticated surgical equipment was also airlifted to Tangdhar to ensure the seamless delivery of specialised medical care.The Lieutenant Governor observed that the achievement transcended mere medical statistics, as the restoration of eyesight had revitalised the dignity, confidence and hope of numerous beneficiaries. He commended Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra and his team, along with the medical professionals, soldiers, support personnel and Air Force pilots whose coordinated efforts facilitated the successful conduct of the camp.Sinha further remarked that the Indian Army not only remains steadfast in safeguarding the nation against external threats but also extends humanitarian assistance and healthcare support to communities during times of need. He stated that by restoring the vision of patients, Operation Drishti had simultaneously contributed towards reinforcing public trust and strengthening the bond between the Armed

Forces and local communities.According to the Lieutenant Governor, Operation Drishti has so far facilitated eye examinations for more than 1.5 lakh people and enabled over 3,500 surgeries across 10 cities nationwide. He expressed confidence that the initiative would progressively expand its outreach to additional villages and towns, particularly those where access to specialised healthcare remains constrained.He emphasised that the Tangdhar experience demonstrated that advanced medical interventions can be effectively delivered even in geographically challenging and remote locations through meticulous planning, institutional coordination and determination.On the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Sinha felicitated doctors and medical personnel of the Defence Forces in recognition of their services and distributed post-operative kits among the beneficiaries.Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, GOC Chinar Corps;

Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Army Hospital R&R; Brigadier B.V. Rao, Commandant, 92 Base Hospital; and other senior Defence Forces officials were present.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo also attended the ceremony. CNI NEWS