Kupwara, April 15, 2025 – In the heart of north Kashmir’s Karnah Valley, where the Line of Control carves a stark divide, lies Simari—a village of quiet resilience and historic significance. Known as India’s first polling booth, Simari has long symbolized the nation’s democratic spirit. Now, for the first time since Independence, every home in this remote border hamlet is bathed in light, fully electrified through a groundbreaking solar-powered initiative.
Simari, home to 347 residents across 53 households, sits so close to the LoC that parts of its rugged terrain fall in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir . For decades, its isolation meant reliance on kerosene lamps and firewood, with smoke-filled kitchens and dim evenings shaping daily life. Children studied under flickering flames, and harsh winters deepened the struggle. Today, that narrative has changed, thanks to a heartfelt collaboration between the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps and the Aseem Foundation, a Pune-based NGO dedicated to sustainable solutions.
The project, launched in memory of Colonel Santosh Mahadik—a Shaurya Chakra awardee who laid down his life in Kupwara in 2015—brings four state-of-the-art solar microgrids to Simari. These systems, complete with efficient panels and robust battery backups, deliver uninterrupted power to every household. Alongside electricity, the initiative has provided LPG connections to all families, replacing smoky hearths with clean, modern cooking.
On April 14, 2025, Simari celebrated its transformation in a moving ceremony. Kalinda Mahadik, Colonel Santosh’s mother, joined Army officials, local leaders, and Aseem Foundation’s Sarang Gosavi to mark the occasion. “Light has reached not just homes, but hearts,” said a village elder, capturing the mood of gratitude and hope.
Simari’s role as Polling Booth Number One makes it a national emblem. When India votes, this village often leads, its ballots a testament to democracy’s reach even in the most sensitive frontiers. Electrifying Simari, then, is more than a technical feat—it’s a promise kept to a community that has stood firm amid challenges.
The impact is already palpable. “My daughter reads at night without straining her eyes,” shared a local mother. Electric lights have extended productive hours, while LPG stoves have freed women from hours of gathering wood. The microgrids, designed for durability, ensure power flows even when snow blankets the valley, offering a lifeline to progress.
Spearheaded under Operation Sadbhavana, the Army’s outreach program, this effort blends security with human development. By partnering with Aseem Foundation, it showcases how shared vision can conquer logistical hurdles. Simari’s success now serves as a blueprint for other border villages, where grid lines falter but potential abounds.
As Simari’s homes glow under solar power, they reflect a larger truth: no corner of India is too remote for change. This milestone lights the way for a future where sustainable innovation and community spirit transform lives, one village at a time.