Country’s first polling booth village in Karnah electrified

Kupwara, Apr 14: The residents of Simari in border town Karnah of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district were overjoyed on Monday after their homes were illuminated with electricity for the first time since the independence of the country.

Simari village is home to 53 households and happens to be polling booth number one of India. Earlier the residents here would rely on primitive lighting and cooking facilities. The electrification and LPG enablement was made possible through joint efforts of Aseem Foundation, a Pune-based NGO, and the Indian Army’s Vajr Division under the aegis of the Chinar Corps. The project involved setting up solar microgrids and providing clean cooking LPG kits to the villagers.

The residents of Simari are overjoyed as the initiative has significantly improved their quality of life. “Our children can now study without relying on conventional means of lighting. The introduction of electricity and clean cooking LPG kits will certainly make a substantial difference in our daily lives,” said one of the resident.

The initiative is dedicated to the memory of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, a Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal recipient.