“The whole experience was simply empowering”- this is how the 20 girls from Mawar Valley, Naugam of Kupwara district summed up their fortnight long experience during the Army sponsored capacity building tour to different parts of the country.As per Army press release “Ever since I had read and heard about some girls from here who had gone to Delhi and met our President in Rashtrapati Bhawan, I had wanted to be a part of such a tour. My dream came true when I got this opportunity” said an excited student.The children, who were to set off on this tour on July 09 by air had to eventually move by road upto Udhampur on 12 July under strict security arrangements by the Army due to the prevailing unrest. “These children were our responsibility and we had to ensure their safety and security” said an Army officer who accompanied the students and their teachers.The whole tour was a balanced package of education and entertainment.
While in the national capital Delhi, the children visited the historical Red Fort, Jama Masjid, the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the fun destination, Kingdom of Dreams. The big attraction in Dehradun which was the next hop, was the Army’s premier training institution, the Indian Military Academy where the students got to interact with the potential army officers of the army.The girls then proceeded to the City Beautiful, Chandigarh where they visited various places of tourist interest besides the Head office of Tribune Newspaper and the Mother Dairy factory. The final destination of the tour was the city of Golden Temple, Amritsar where the Children, besides offering prayers at the famous temple, also visited the Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah Border.The Sadbhavna tour which was flagged in today, had been structured to introduce the young children to the rich and diverse history, culture and traditions of the country as also to ignite in them the desire to explore further for their brighter futures. (CNS)