Army's Operation Sangam for children of terrorism affected areas of J-K

SRINAGAR: The Rashtriya Rifles, counterinsurgency force of the Army, continuing with its efforts towards providing quality education and learning opportunities to the children of terrorism affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir has organized an educational-cum-motivational tour of the country.

Rashtriya Rifles 12 Sector has arranged an educational cum motivational tour for 35 children from a wide cross section of schools of remote and inaccessible villages in District-Budgam with effect from November 22 to December 8.

The school children who are accompanied by three teachers, including one lady teacher, would be exposed to diverse cultures, life styles and sight seeing of various historical and tourist spots of Pune, Mumbai and Delhi.

Addressing the children before flagging off the tour from Budgam, Brigadier Ajay of 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles asked them to witness the state of development outside the Valley, which is possible in an environment of peace and tranquility.

As a part of Operation Sadbhavana-XI, this tour has been named 'Operation Sangam'.

The event is completely sponsored by the Army including transportation, lodging, boarding, kitting and all allied expenses.

Operation Sadbhavana envisages the functioning of the Army as a 'facilitator' in the thrust areas of primary education, secondary and tertiary health care, community development and empowerment of women.

There are 16 Sadbhavana Schools, which provide free meals and use computers extensively. Besides giving scholarships to students from economically deprived backgrounds, the schools have a maulvi and a lama teaching religion.