Army takes Bakarwal children on goodwill excursion

The Army has organised a goodwill excursion for children of Jammu and Kashmirs nomadic shepherd Bakarwal community.

Srinagar, Aug 6 : The Army has organised a goodwill excursion for children of Jammu and Kashmir's nomadic shepherd Bakarwal community.

"This year onwards, we have decided that we must look after Bakarwal people also. After all, they are also part of our society and country and we must take care of them," said Major General V.S.Tong of the army.

Bakarwals are a backward tribe of Jammu and Kashmir, generally a tribe which earns its living by grazing goats.

The children hailing from the Ladakh region were sent off on a bus from Srinagar, after a cultural function in Mughalpura.

During the fortnight long tour, which started on August 1, the children will visit Agra, New Delhi and other places of tourist interest.

The trip is part of "Operation Sadbhavna", a programme launched in 2001 by the army, in an effort to earn goodwill and win over the hearts of the people.

The children, who come from poor families, were excited about the trip.

"The trip is very good for our future as it will increase our knowledge. We will see historical places like the Taj Mahal, including others. The Bakarwal tribe otherwise do not have an opportunity to travel at their own expense, but the army has made this possible," said Altaf Hussain from the Bakarwal tribe.

The "Sadhbhavna Project", aiming for closer ties between the army and the people, also runs vocational training institutions and health awareness programmes.

The army runs several such peacetime projects in health, education and road building to help the local population in border states.

ANI