Bengaluru: They are far removed from the angry school going girls, who are seen pelting stones at the army and CRPF personnel, who are deployed in trouble-torn Kashmir.
In fact, the 16 girls, who are students of Class X, XI and XII of ‘Army Goodwill School’ in Uri, told Deccan Chronicle that their villages were not affected by militancy. “We lead a normal life and go to school every day. Our school was never shut and our studies have not been affected,” said Jasleen Kaur, who is part of the all-girls delegation from J&K, which has been brought to Bengaluru by the Army. The tour has been coordinated by the Headquarters Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area as part of the Capacity Building Tour (CBT) under ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ (Operation Goodwill).
They looked happy with their tour of Bengaluru and did not wish to talk about violence back home. “We have better aspirations for ourselves,” said Zoha Akbar and Sonali Sharma. “There are multiple opportunities for us and we would like to make use of them,” said Meenakshi Sharma.
Major General K.S. Nijjar, General Officer Commanding of Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, who met the girls, said that the main focus of the women exclusive CBT was to increase their awareness about the latest advancement in science and technology, software Industry, business management, hospitality and service industry.
“While providing them the exposure to the employment opportunities our endeavor is to show them the unity and diversity, rich heritage and economic progress made by the country,” said Major General Nijjar.
“The interaction of students from terror affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir with the cross section of the Indian society will help bring about a significant attitudinal awaking amongst them. The CBT will not only assist the children of these remote areas to become better citizens, but will also motivate them to assist in the overall development of the region and the country,” he added.
The officer also spoke about the Army’s initiative in helping students from the conflict and terror-afflicted areas to take up professional courses. “Around 28 children, who were trained by the army have cleared their JEE this year. We would like to increase the number to 40 students. The army will also provide scholarship to the deserving,” said the officer.
The students, who arrived in Bengaluru on May 2 visited Corps of Military Police Centre and School, Army Institute of Fashion and Design, Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, ASC Centre and College, HAL, the planetarium and Tipu Sultan’s palace among other places of tourist interest in the City. They also met Governor Vajubhai Vala at the Raj Bhavan.
