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Army provides financial aid to poor children of JK
Mir Yasin. Dated: 5/21/2019 11:07:18 AM
Yasin Mir
Udhampur, May 20
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander Northern Command presented financial aid to 71 selected students from BPL category and remote areas of Jammu & Kashmir in an impressive function at Udhampur. The financial aid provided under Sadbhavana to needy children included scholarship to the tune of Rs 1.45 crores. The 71 students (45 for Army Public School, Beas & 26 for Drona Boys Hostel, Udhampur) were handed over the scholarship certificates and cheques which covers the complete expenditure of their schools to include Education Fees, Boarding, Lodging and Transportation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Army Commander said that Army would do everything possible within the ambit of Operation Sadbhavana to assist the civil population of J&K especially those who are affected by terrorism, to address their problems. Realising the importance of role of education in transforming the society, the Army has identified education as PRIORITY area for military - civic programme under Sadbhavana in J&K. The idea of sponsoring education of these students at the Army Public School, Beas and Drona Boys Hostels has many benefits. The students not only get the best of education at par with any premier education institute in the country, but also get an opportunity to get to know the diverse culture of this great nation. They are obviously moulded as better citizens and integrated into national main stream. He also wished them good luck and told them to make best use of this great opportunity provided to them by the Indian Army. The Army Commander also felicitated the proud alumni of both the institutes who came to attend the function from far and wide.
Sharing their experiences, the students of both APS Beas and Drona Boys Hostel Udhampur were grateful to the Army for sponsoring their education and told about the incredible difference made by the school/Drona Boys Hostel in their lives. Miss Adeb- Ul- Islam class XIth student who hails from Pahalgam, Kashmir and studying at APS Beas since past 3 years mentioned that her stay at APS Beas has changed her out look towards life. She aspires to become doctor and serve the people. Master Suhail, Class Xth student who hails from Poonch was grateful to the Army for fully sponsoring his education and he aspires to join Army. He also listed out a series of positive changes which the stay at Drona Boys Hostel, Udhampur has brought in his life.
The contribution of Indian Army in shaping the future generations with positive attitude as part of overall strategy in bringing normalcy in the state is well known. Since 1998, Indian Army in its unique initiative of Operation Sadbhavana carries out series of civic action programmes to alleviate the problems of the civil population in the terrorist affected / remote areas of J&K. Every year Army spends approximately over Rs 40 crores in various Sadbhavana activities and the major portion ie, over Rs 20 crores (50%) goes to education activities including Army Goodwill Schools and Scholarships. Army runs over 43 AGSs/AGPSs where in over 15000 students study and over 1000 staff are employed to shape the future of the children of J&K. Besides school education, the Army has also started two flagship programmes to prepare students for Medical & Engineering entrance examinations.