In the rugged geography of north Kashmir, one man’s quiet commitment is veering around into a lifeline for numerous lives. Dr Itinder Pal Singh Bali, also known as the “First Aid Man of Kashmir”, has made it his life’s mission to teach youth and volunteers first aid, civil-defence drills and rescue operations. He was there for helping people from the days of earthquake aftermath near the Line of Control(LoC); his journey now expands beyond J&K to national disaster preparedness endeavours.
From dental practice to life-saving missions
Dr Bali is a dental surgeon in Baramulla. He noticed the crippling impact of the 2005 earthquake in Uri and Kupwara. The traumatic experience initiated his transformation into a full-time trainer of emergency response and rescue. He is now aged 51. He has carried out training in CPR techniques, bleeding control, disaster-simulation drills and community response for the past two decades. According to his principal at a local college, his sessions blend expertise with practical demonstrations, which help the volunteers instil confidence to act in emergencies.
Work in conflict and disaster zones
Dr Bali’s work surpasses medical centres. During “Operation Sindoor”, he was present in the relief effort near the LoC. He and his team operated under heavy shelling, they provided assistance and rescued civilians. He is the divisional warden of North Kashmir civil defence. He runs drug addiction awareness programmes in villages and schools. The state government has recognised his service with honours for social reform and disaster response.
National reach, local roots
According to Hindustan Times, Dr Bali’s mission is to train as many people as possible in first-response skills. He has travelled to other states, pivoting the lessons from mountainous rescue into replicable measures. He repeatedly says that although his professional dental practice sometimes takes a backseat, saving lives remains his priority, he says, “At times due to voluntary work even my professional work gets hampered but for a good cause I will continue to do it till my last breath.”
Impact on India’s preparedness
India has been prone to earthquakes, floods, and border conflicts, which result in public-health emergencies. The grassroots training in first aid and civil defence is crucial. Dr Bali’s model of empowering youth, offering hands-on sessions and building community awareness addresses the often-ignored frontline of resilience of being an educated and ready citizen. His work speaks of a shift from top-down disaster response to community-based, foresighted preparedness.
Dr Itinder Pal Singh Bali may not wear a cape, but his legacy is building a culture of readiness across the nation. From Kashmir’s conflict-torn valleys to civil-defence classrooms in India, his training programmes are quietly reinforcing the chain of survival. His story is a testament to the quote “real change often begins with one person determined to help another.”
