National awards recognise her compassionate leadership and commitment to recovery-oriented healthcare
Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Dec 30:In a moment of immense pride for Jammu & Kashmir and especially for district Bandipora, Dr Anjum Ara, Medical Officer at the District Drug De-Addiction Centre (DDAC), Bandipora, has been conferred the Rabindranath Tagore Lifetime Achievement Award by the Welred Foundation, West Bengal, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. She has also been honoured with the Prestigious Doctor’s Award by the Worthy Wellness Foundation, recognising her exceptional contribution to public health and compassionate medical service.
The prestigious awards, granted after a rigorous process of scrutiny and evaluation, acknowledge Dr Anjum Ara’s unwavering dedication, perseverance, and ethical medical practice, particularly in the field of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation. The Certificate of Excellence recognises her as an Excellent Doctor whose work has set a benchmark in healthcare delivery and patient-centric care.
Dr Anjum Ara has been at the forefront of medical and rehabilitative services at DDAC Bandipora, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, established by the District Administration Bandipora under the NAPDDR framework and implemented by JKSWM. Through her empathetic approach and professional excellence, she has played a pivotal role in the recovery, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of individuals battling substance abuse.
The national honour has also brought well-deserved recognition to the District Drug De-Addiction Centre, Bandipora, which provides integrated services including medical treatment, detoxification, counselling, psychosocial support, awareness programmes, and rehabilitation. The centre has emerged as a model of holistic care, ensuring dignity, hope, and a second chance for affected individuals.
In its official citation, the Welred Foundation lauded Dr Anjum Ara as a source of inspiration whose work embodies the spirit of service, compassion, and humanism associated with the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore. The awards were formally issued under Certificate No. WF/6551/2025 dated December 15, 2025, and WWF/PDA/IN-371 dated December 26, 2025.
Healthcare professionals, administrators, and social sector leaders across the region have congratulated Dr Anjum Ara, describing the achievement as a collective recognition of DDAC Bandipora’s relentless efforts in tackling one of the most pressing social and public health challenges of the present time.
This national-level recognition not only celebrates Dr Anjum Ara’s lifelong dedication to public service but also reinforces Bandipora’s growing reputation as a district committed to innovative, empathetic, and impactful healthcare interventions.
