New Delhi, Jan 13: “Government is committed to providing quality healthcare to every citizen of the country, especially those living in remote and island territories,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he virtually addressed, on January 13, 2026, a nearly week-long Joint Services Multi-Speciality Camp organised by the Indian Navy at the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti in Lakshadweep, the first time in the islands. He described the initiative as a shining example of the Indian Navy’s significant role in nation-building and humanitarian assistance beyond maritime security, adding that through the camp, the Tri-Services team of the Armed Forces Medical Services has brought advanced diagnostic facilities and specialist care directly to the people’s doorsteps, including services such as planned surgeries and cataract operations.

The Defence Minister noted that a comprehensive screening, early diagnosis, timely medical advice, medical interventions, and free distribution of medicines would contribute to long-term health benefits for the island community. “We’re working with the resolve of a Swasth Bharat. We have not only promoted physical infrastructure in the health sector but have also taken care of the people’s well-being through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras,” he added.

Formally inaugurating the camp, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted that the initiative is unique in three ways – ‘synergy’, with the camp representing a truly joint endeavour with professionals from all three Services and local administration; ‘scope’, considering the range of medical specialists from cardiology, ophthalmology, cataract surgery, nephrology, neurology, gastroenterology, dermatology and endocrinology; and ‘scale’, with the sheer numbers of medical professionals and support personnel deployed for this camp. He emphasised that such joint initiatives strengthen inter-service synergy and civil-military cooperation while contributing meaningfully to the welfare of citizens.

Following the inaugural ceremony, the Chief of the Naval Staff interacted with the patients and handed over spectacles, eye drops, and medicines to the beneficiaries of the cataract surgery. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena; Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin; Advisor to the Administrator Sai B Deepak along with senior officers of the Armed Forces, representatives of the civil administration, and members of the local populace.

As envisioned by Defence Minister, the Indian Navy is conducting multi-speciality camps across five islands – Amini, Androth, Agatti, Kavaratti, and Minicoy – to provide comprehensive medical care to residents, ensuring maximum outreach and accessibility. A dedicated ophthalmology team has been deployed at Kavaratti to undertake cataract surgeries for eligible patients.

As part of the camp, 29 Medical Officers, two Nursing Officers, and 42 Paramedical personnel from the Armed Forces from establishments across the country have been deployed. Lakshadweep has an established government healthcare system comprising district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health facilities. To complement these services, medical equipment, stores, and medicines have been augmented, enabling access to specialist and super-specialist care at respective healthcare facilities. Dedicated surgical teams have also been deployed at Agatti and Minicoy to manage operative and procedural requirements.

Nearly 50 sight-restoring surgeries within just two days is a major highlight of the camp, delivering world-class ophthalmic care to the island residents by the specialists from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), with many more to follow in the next few days.

Restoring the Patriarch (Kavaratti Island)

Kuni Koya, 65, a local resident of Amini, suffered from hypermature cataract that had led him to near blindness. His successful surgery represents the core mission of the camp – ensuring that the residents of India’s smallest Union Territory are never left behind in the dark.

The Agatti Breakthrough (Khalid C, 68)

For years, Khalid’s world was a gray ghost of its former self. Today, he became a symbol of this historic mission as the sophisticated technique was deployed on Agatti soil for the first time. “I thought the fog of the sea had entered my soul,” he whispered, his eyes clear for the first time in a decade. “Today, the Navy gave me back the blue of my home,” he said.

Beyond clinical treatment, the camp has also placed strong emphasis on holistic wellbeing, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that good health is not merely freedom from disease but the assurance of overall wellness and welfare for all. Citizens were counselled on preventive healthcare, lifestyle modification, mental well-being, and nutrition. Dietary guidance highlighting the benefits of millets, as part of India’s traditional and sustainable food systems, along with yoga and wellness practices, were provided to promote long-term health benefits.

The initiative aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for every citizen, including those residing in the most remote regions of the country. Reflecting the spirit of flagship national initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the camp underscores the country’s global health philosophy of ‘One Earth, One Health’, by integrating curative care with preventive and promotive health services.

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will ask states to pay a “heavy compensation” for dog-bite incidents as it flagged its concern over the lack of implementation of norms on stray animals for the past five years.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria said that even dog lovers and feeders will be held “responsible” and “accountable” for dog-bite incidents.

“For every dog bite, death or injury caused to children or elderly, we are going to ask the state governments to pay heavy compensation, as they did not do anything on implementation of norms in the past five years. Also, responsibility and accountability will be fixed on those who are feeding these stray dogs. If you love these animals so much, then why don’t you take them to your house. Why should these dogs loiter around, bite and scare people?” Justice Nath said.

Justice Mehta concurred with the views of Justice Nath and said, “Who should be held accountable when dogs attack a 9-year-old? The organisation that is feeding them? You want us to shut our eyes to the problem.”

The top court was hearing several petitions seeking modification of its November 7, 2025 order directing the authorities to remove these stray animals from the institutional areas and roads.

The top court said the worst part is that a lawyer from Gujarat was bitten in a park and when civic authorities went to catch that animal, the lawyers, who claimed to be dog lovers, attacked the civic officials.

The top court also lamented that for four days, it has been hearing arguments on the issue and was not allowed to proceed further in the matters by activists and NGOs and was not able to hear the views of the Centre and the states.

“Our request to all the lawyers is to allow us to take to task the union, the state authorities and other bodies… Allow us to pass an order. We need to spend half a day with the States and Union. To see whether they have a plan of action or not. The problem has multiplied a thousand times. We just want implementation of statutory provision. Allow us to do that. Allow us to work. Allow us to proceed further,” the top court observed during the hearing.

On January 9, the top court said it would not go into the allegations of harassment of women dog feeders and caregivers by purported anti-feeder vigilantes since it was a law and order issue and the aggrieved persons could lodge FIRs about it.

The top court also refused to go into the claims about certain derogatory remarks being made about women on the issue.

Taking note of the “alarming rise” in dog-bite incidents within institutional areas such as educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the apex court on November 7 directed relocation of stray canines forthwith to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination.

It also said stray dogs picked up shall not be released back to the place they were picked up from. It directed the authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from the state highways, national highways and expressways.

The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.