Poonch, J&K- Have you heard of a village where 80 percent of the population has been suffering from deafness and muteness for decades?

A place where there are no proper roads, where women are forced to deliver babies on roadsides, and where the only middle school is in a dilapidated condition?

This is the harsh reality of Paralkot, a small village in the Mandi Sub Division of Poonch district, near the Line of Control (LoC). Despite its scenic beauty, Paralkot's approximately 300 residents have been grappling with severe neglect for decades.

The village lacks essential healthcare facilities, forcing residents to undertake perilous journeys to distant medical centers, often with tragic outcomes.

Basic infrastructure is non-existent, isolating the village economically and socially, and cutting it off from opportunities for growth and development. Women have died while scaling mountains and slopes during delivery, and infants have perished due to the inability to access timely medical care.

The absence of proper roads not only hampers access to education and healthcare but also stifles the village's economic potential, leaving its residents in a perpetual state of poverty.

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uplifting marginalized communities, prominent lawyer and human rights activist Deepika Pushkar Nath has announced the adoption of Paralkot village.

This village, home to approximately 300 residents, has been grappling with severe issues of deafness and muteness among at least 80% of its population, problems that have remained unaddressed for decades.

Despite the village's scenic beauty, surrounded by thick forests and numerous springs, Paralkot has long suffered from a lack of essential facilities, including roads, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The plight of the villagers has been exacerbated by the absence of government intervention and support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Notably, despite Jammu and Kashmir High Court orders in 2018 directing immediate corrective measures, the promises of education and health benefits have remained unfulfilled. Successive governments have failed to comply with even high court orders, leading to ongoing neglect and abandonment.

During her recent three-day visit to Paralkot, Deepika PushkarNath was deeply moved by the hardships faced by the villagers. "The neglect and abandonment of Paralkot by successive governments is a grave injustice.

The suffering of these people, particularly the youth who have lost hope for a better future, compelled me to take action. The height of ignorance shown by our successive governments has left women dying on roads during delivery and infants perishing. This lack of empathy has compelled me to adopt this village" Deepika told The Mooknayak.

She said, children in Paralkot are deprived of education due to the inaccessibility of schools. The lack of roads means they cannot travel safely to nearby towns for schooling, perpetuating a cycle of illiteracy and poverty.

Villagers complain of gross neglect from both state and central governments. "If there is a road, other facilities will automatically follow. For 30 years, we have been demanding a road, which is the basic infrastructure required for development," says an elder. There is only a middle school, no dispensary, or Anganwadi.

"The nearest road is three kilometers away from Paralkot village, and it takes two hours to reach the school. The school building is dilapidated, with no kitchen or even a boundary wall," says Ahmad Khan, a local resident. The villagers explain that when someone falls sick and needs to be rushed to the hospital, they have to carry them on a stretcher. Often, by the time they reach the road to find transport, the patient has already died.

The village's economy is stagnant as residents cannot transport goods or travel to markets to sell their produce. The potential for economic self-sufficiency and growth is stifled by their isolation.

In times of emergencies, whether medical or natural disasters, the absence of reliable roads and bridges makes timely response impossible, leaving the villagers vulnerable and unsupported.

The activist's comprehensive plan for the holistic development of Paralkot includes:

1. Education: Establishing specialized educational facilities with trained teachers to cater to both normal and deaf and mute children. Initiating vocational training programs to empower the youth and enhance their employment prospects.

2. Healthcare: Setting up primary health centers with regular medical camps and expert consultations. Conducting detailed medical surveys to understand and address the underlying causes of the widespread deafness and muteness.

3. Infrastructure: Improving road connectivity and basic infrastructure to integrate Paralkot with nearby regions, thereby facilitating better access to resources and opportunities.

4. Community Empowerment: Organizing community development programs to uplift the socio-economic status of the residents. Encouraging self-help groups and local entrepreneurship to foster economic independence for both men and women.

PushkarNath emphasized the urgency and importance of this initiative, stating, "The youth of this area are jobless and often work as porters with the Army when called upon. No one has heard the silence of this silent village. I will engage with the Lieutenant Governor J&K, concerned MP, and other related organizations to work towards granting special status to the village, ensuring security of life and employment, and breaking free from the clutches of deafness and muteness."

In a significant step towards rectifying this historical neglect, the activist has committed to expanding her efforts beyond Paralkot. "I am starting this mission with Paralkot and aim to extend my efforts to other similarly neglected regions," she said.

"It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no community is left behind, and I urge the government and NGOs to join hands in this noble cause. That’s why the issue is of international concern and the Silent village has been neglected for decades is one of the rare examples in the world.”

Deepika PushkarNath also plans to gradually adopt Manyall-A, Manyall-B, Bagunara, and Azmathabad villages in the Rajouri district, which are also silent villages with no one to take care of them.

In an appeal to the central government, Pushkar Nath has also written a letter to Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways. She highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development in Paralkot and adjacent villages in Poonch district, J&K.

In her heartfelt plea, Nath details the multifaceted struggles of Paralkot's residents, including the critical need for healthcare access, educational opportunities, and economic integration.

She proposes immediate actions such as constructing all-weather roads, building robust bridges, and ensuring regular maintenance to prevent future deterioration.

Nath passionately argues that such interventions will not only save lives but also invigorate the local economy, providing Paralkot's residents with the opportunities and resources they desperately need.