26/04/2026
Today (26th April 2026) KAASH Foundation, Mumbai organised a Free Health and Awareness Camp from 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm in the premise of Juma Masjid, lower Bazar Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
The camp was organised for the Kashmiri Khans i.e. the labour class of Shimla, who earn their livelihood by carrying heavy loads & goods manually on their backs and are often marginalized and deprived from the basic facilities and provisions.
The primary intention of the Free Health Camp was to have more personal interactions with them and to discuss their medical and health issues. They very often experience spasms, knee pain, spine pain, heart issues, and multiple joint pains.
The abject poverty faced by this labour class very often delays their timely attention on personal health.
In their words:
"We can't afford to fall sick or have any health issues".
Their savings is anyways meagre, so they avoid spending for themselves on any medication or treatment.
The Health Camp was one of our Founder-Trustee Dr. Avkash Jadhav's commitment to the Kashmiri Khan community, when he conducted a survey of over 100 Kashmiri Khans of Shimla ( From 5th April 2026 to 21st April 2026) as part of his Associate Fellowship at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It was a complete field project. For this he went to their masjid, Dera ( small residency) , shared rooms and on the streets of Mall road.
The survey was presented at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study during the Associate National Seminar on 24 April 2026.
The inception of the idea to organise a Medical Awareness Camp was graciously supported and encouraged by:
Dr. Narendra Mahajan Sir (MBBS, DCH, MD) Retired as Associate Professor from the Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, with a service of 39 years in 4 districts of Himachal Pradesh.
And the Resource person
Dr. Mohammad Shahnawaz Hasan
Pursuing MD final year from the Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla and practicing for the last 5 years.
MBBS from JLNMCH Hospital Bhagalpur Bihar.
2 years service as JR in JNKTMCH. Madhepura Medical College.
1 yr service as JR in VMMC Safdarjung New Delhi.
Currently- doing MD in the Community Medicine Department IGMC Shimla.
The camp was attended by around 30+ Kashmiri Khans. They were given the following insights:
1) Regular dietary issues and consumption of the right nutrients.
2) Identification of correct symptoms for any chronic ailments.
3) Some physical condition tips to avoid knee and spine pain.
4) Mandatory free blood and health checkup, every six months.
5) Awareness of various government schemes and procedure to avail free treatments.
6) Personal issues faced by many of them were also discussed.
7) Some effective physiotherapy exercises to overcome knee and spine pain.
8) The details of Aayushman Medical Card of Central Government of India and Him Card of Himachal Pradesh Government.
9) The benefits of medical insurance schemes and how to get coverage.
10) The examination of some surface level physical issues.
The event was curated by Dr Avkash Jadhav.
He began the event at 5.30 pm with his opening remarks about KAASH Foundation and it's activities, especially the Health vertical and the work in the society.
He then welcomed all the members present for the camp.
He introduced the doctors and welcomed them.
Dr. Narendra Mahajan Sir the Chief Guest of the event, gave his opening remarks and gave them insights about many precautions and basic information of treatment.
He also kindly offered them free consultation at his charity clinic near Kali Bari Temple on Mall Road and he also assured them that, he would also offer free medicines for some regular illness, but for bigger medical issues will offer medical guidance free of cost.
His gentle and approachable behaviour made many of them so comfortable that they were too overwhelmed by this gesture.
Many came with their medical reports to discuss and get guidance and he was so courteous with each one of them.
In fact, his role is vital for the success of this camp. He was so prompt to even suggest the name of his student, Dr. Shahnawaz Hasan, as the resource person from the local Government Hospital.
Dr. Shahnawaz Hasan our main Resource person of the day, connected with them immediately and was able to give them the required confidence and hope that they will get medical benefits as per the government norms.
He in fact also assured that he would assist them in getting their blood checkup and other diagnostics free of cost at the Indira Gandhi Medical College by giving personal attention.
He even went on to share his contact number and gave them the option to reach out to him on call or through text messages.
He also addressed their personal cases and gave them the required suggestions. He encouraged them to take care of their health and make it a priority.
His words of assurance and sharing personal details brought a big smile on their faces.
Many didn't believe that in 15 days of the completion of the academic surveys and interviews by Dr Avkash Jadhav, a medical camp was arranged and awareness camp was organised for them.
As Mushtaq Bhai, a Kashmiri Khan porter commented:
"Aisa laga ki hamari bhi zindagi behtar ban sakti hai. Iss camp ke karan hamari apni takeleefon ko pehli baar zuban mili."
(Translation: We felt that even our life can be better and this camp addressed our personal pain and sufferings for the first time ever).
In all, with limited time and resources, the event was concluded with all affirmations and assurance.
The initiative for the camp managed to acquire its desired objective.
