KAASH Foundation, Mumbai Organises Free Medical and Awareness Camp for Kashmiri Khans of Shimla
For the first time, KAASH Foundation, Mumbai organised a Free Medical and Awareness Camp on the premises of Juma Masjid, Lower Bazaar, Shimla.
The camp was organised for the Kashmiri Khans — the labour community of Shimla — who earn their livelihood by manually carrying heavy loads and goods on their backs. They are often marginalised and deprived of basic facilities and provisions.
The primary objective of the Free Health Camp was to interact with them personally and discuss their medical and health issues. They frequently suffer from spasms, knee pain, spinal pain, cardiac issues, and multiple joint pains.
The abject poverty faced by this labour class often delays timely attention to their personal health.
The Health Camp was part of a commitment made by our Founder-Trustee, Dr. Avkash Jadhav, to the Kashmiri Khan community. Dr. Jadhav had 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.
The findings of the survey were presented at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study during the Associate National Seminar on 24th April 2026. The presentation highlighted several issues faced by the Khan community in the town.
The Medical Camp was presided over by Dr. Narendra Mahajan, DCH, MD, Retd. Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. The Resource Person, Dr. Mohammad Shahnawaz Hasan from the Department of Community Medicine, IGMC, Shimla, briefed the attendees on health issues and on schemes initiated by the State and Central Governments for the welfare of the labour class. The camp was attended by more than 30 Kashmiri Khans.
Dr. Shahnawaz Hasan elaborated on:
Regular dietary issues and the consumption of proper nutrients
Identification of correct symptoms for chronic ailments
Physical conditioning tips to avoid knee and spinal pain
Mandatory free blood and health check-ups every six months
Awareness of various government schemes and the procedure to avail free treatment
Effective physiotherapy exercises to overcome knee and spinal pain
Details of the Ayushman Bharat Card of the Central Government and the Himcare Card of the Himachal Pradesh Government, along with the benefits of medical insurance schemes and how to avail them
Dr. Avkash Jadhav highlighted the work of KAASH Foundation and its activities, especially in the fields of health and social welfare in Maharashtra.
Dr. Narendra Mahajan offered free consultation at his charity clinic near Kali Bari Temple on Mall Road. He also assured the community that he would provide free medicines for common ailments and free medical guidance for major health issues. His role was vital to the success of this camp. He promptly suggested the name of his student, Dr. Shahnawaz Hasan, as the Resource Person.
He further assured that he would assist them in getting blood tests and other diagnostics done free of cost at Indira Gandhi Medical College through personal attention.
Based on the academic surveys and interviews conducted by Dr. Avkash Jadhav, the medical and awareness camp was organised for the community.
As Mushtaq, a Kashmiri Khan porter, commented:
“Aisa laga ki hamari bhi zindagi behtar ban sakti hai. Iss camp ke karan hamari apni takleefon ko pehli baar zubaan mili.”
“This camp has addressed our personal pain and sufferings for the first time ever.”
The initiative successfully achieved its desired objective.
