Srinagar: After 70 years, Madwah village of Nowgam in north Kashmir’s Langate area of Kupwara district got electricity connection for the first time.

The region was deprived of power supply since 1947.

“It is like Eid for us. Even after more than 70 years there had been no electricity here. Earlier also we had approached the concerned officials, MLAs etc but no one heard us. Finally we got it. No senior official ever visited our village,” they said.

“We have seen electricity in our houses after 70 years. Now the electric bulb is lighting in my house. It is like Eid,” said an elderly, Ghulam Hassan.

Another elderly man said the last senior official of the government had visited their village some 33 years ago with a desire to provide electricity.

“It was some 33 years ago, a senior officer of the government had come here…if my memory serves me right. Since then we haven’t seen anyone except few politicians who visit us during election time,” he recalled.

Electricity is the first basic amenity the government has provided to this village.

The villagers said they still have demands of road and clean drinking water. “We hope the roads and drinking water will be provided sooner than later. It should not take another 70 years,” the villagers demanded.