Army provides computers to children residing in remote J-K

Uniformed men guarding the Indian borders have taken upon them an additional task to equip the youngsters of Kashmir villages with modern technology.

Odur (J-K), Oct 6 : Uniformed men guarding the Indian borders have taken upon them an additional task to equip the youngsters of Kashmir villages with modern technology.

Indian army recently provided computers to a school in Odur in the Baramullah District of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government High School in Odur, about 56 kilometers from Srinagar, with about 300 students on its roll, is the latest to set up a computer laboratory.

Brigadier K A Muthanna, Commander, 10 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, said: "We had decided that in the financial year 2007-08 we will provide the school in Odur with computers."

"The school, the students and everyone wanted this to happen. Moreover, it is a part of their syllabus. We hope students take this as opportunity to achieve more in life," Brigadier Muthanna added.

The school authorities are delighted about the development.

"Computers have been installed in our school and I am very happy about it. In today's world, computers have become a necessity," said Parveena Akhtar, Principal of the Government High School in Odur.

The students are eager to begin learning at the new computer laboratory, which has 15 computers.

"Computers have a lot of scope. Earlier, we used to go to far off places to attend computer classes. We had to pay around Rs 300-400 per month. Now I am sure, it will be easy with the classes taking place in the school. These classes are free of cost," said Bashir, a student.

Arrangements have also been made to provide computer literacy to students at nearby army centres. A variety of workshops are also being conducted to encourage extra-curricular activities among students.

These initiatives by the army are aimed at gaining the confidence of border residents. Also, the army says these activities keep them occupied.

The Indian army runs several peacetime projects in health, education and road building in the border States.

In 2001, army launched Rs 600,000 'Operation Sadbhavna' (Operation Goodwill) to build closer ties between the army and the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

ANI