This won’t make national headlines, and there will be no prime-time debate about it. But in Chamoli,Uttarakhand today, ordinary people set out to walk all the way to Dehradun, just to ask for a hospital. The people of Simli have kept their word. As announced, the padyatra demanding a base hospital at Simli began today, led by the Base Sangharsh Samiti. Before setting out, the Samiti ran a “Gaon Chalo, Ghar-Ghar Chalo” campaign, visiting more than 50 villages and winning the support of Mahila Mangal Dals and residents across the area. Samiti president Devendra Singh Negi said people have come forward in large numbers. Their demand is simple: proper treatment close to home, instead of being referred to distant hospitals on long mountain roads. And they’re willing to walk to the capital to make sure it’s heard.