Adnan Faruqi
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Operation Sadhbhavana: Kashmir boys dreams of donning the Olive Green of the Indian Army
KOLKATA: Mohammad Maroof of Pukharnik village of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, bordering Pakistan, dreams of donning the Olive Green of the Indian Army and standing guard on the border. And it is not just Maroof alone. Many boys from the valley look up to Indian soldiers as role models.
"The violence and bloodshed has taken a toll on Jammu and Kashmir. We want peace to prevail and it will happen only when each of us has a feeling for our motherland. I want to serve India as a soldier of the Indian Army and contribute my bit to the country," said Maroof, a Class XII student.
He and 22 other schoolboys from Kashmir's Rajouri district are in Kolkata as part of the Army's Operation Sadbhavana. The project is aimed at integrating youths from the border villages close to the mainstream India.
"I have seen Indian soldiers tirelessly working to protect the borders. I also want to join the Indian Army one day and do my bit for the country," said Hafeez Rehman. Son of a driver of Lam village.the class XII student's house is barely five kilometers away from the India-Pakistan border.
Coming from poor families, none of these boys had got an opportunity to venture out of their villages. They reached Kolkata on Tuesday en-route Guwahati, Shillong and Cherapunji. Personnel from the Tithwal Brigade of Sikh Light Infantry is accompanying these boys.
"The Metro train ride in Kolkata was fun. I never knew trains could run underground! And people here roams about freely without any fear. Wish there is this kind of peace in Jammu and Kashmir too," said Ankush Chowdhary of Loka village. The class X student is a son of a farmer.
Belle Vue Clinic and Priyamvada Birla Aravind Eye Hospital of the MP Birla Group are partners in this mission by the Army. On Wednesday, they were treated with free eye check-up. The boys were also shown around both the hospital to give them an idea on advanced health care services.
The Army's Operation Sadhbhavana is an initiative to help and initiate peace trough education and development. There is a network of 16 Sadbhavana schools to facilitate education to needy boys and girls of the border areas. The boys will be in the city till Friday.
Operation Sadhbhavana: Kashmir boys dreams of donning the Olive Green of the Indian Army - The Times of India