Ali Mohammad, a 60-year-old man from Wandaji Budnamal, a small village in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir, recently participated in the local elections. He cast his vote at the Government High School polling station in Mal, driven by a strong desire to see his village receive electricity.
Ali highlighted the struggles faced by over 100 families in his village due to the absence of electricity. “We still rely on traditional ways to light our homes after sunset,” he explained. Villagers use oily wood, known as ‘Leish’ in Kashmiri, which produces harmful smoke. This practice not only affects their health but also poses significant risks, especially for the elderly and children. Ali mentioned that he suffers from serious chest problems and needs regular treatment at a hospital, which costs him over Rs 3,000 every two weeks.
Another resident echoed Ali’s concerns, stating that the lack of electricity has been particularly hard on students and the elderly. The heavy smoke from burning wood has led to health issues for many, prompting calls for action from local authorities.
The villagers of Wandaji are hopeful that their elected representatives will finally address their long-standing issues. Two years ago, neighboring villages received electricity, and there was optimism that Wandaji would follow suit under a central funding scheme. However, for reasons unknown to the villagers, Wandaji was excluded from this plan.
As they await improvements, the residents of Wandaji Budnamal continue to hope that their voices will be heard and that they will soon enjoy the benefits of electricity like their neighbors.
