Thaindian News

Jammu, May 30 (IANS) Crossing yet another milestone of Operation Sadbhavna (Goodwill) the Army has started training the youth of remote and border areas for a career in the armed forces.

A defence spokesman said army had launched “yet another people friendly initiative to train andguide eligible, aspiring and volunteer youth of the area for recruitment into the armed forces. The aim of this training is to prepare, guide and train the youth under close supervision of qualified army instructors for recruitment rallies scheduled in the near future”.

He remarked that with the return of peace and various welfare and goodwill schemes launched by the army under Operation Sadbhavna have brought the “army and common people closer to each other”.

As part of this initiative, the army selected the youth of remote villages like Manjakote, Chandiyal, Rajdhani, Kopra, Kalaban and Sangiot of Rajouri district, about 180 km northwest of Jammu, were trained on various facets of the selection procedure for the army and the paramilitary forces.

The first batch trainees completed their course Tuesday. “They were made to undergo a medical examination similar to what is conducted during recruitment rallies. They also went through physical tests, documentation check and a written examination,” the spokesman said.

Fifty youth of Rajouri district benifitted from the training.

Trainee Aftab Hussain, 21, said: “We are thankful to army for this training. I feel confident now and am eagerly waiting for a call letter for appearing in an interview.”

Operation Sadbhavna was started in 1998 for the “socio-economic development of the state that suffered devastation due to terrorism,” the defence spokesman said.

In the beginning, the focus was on building infrastructure, going on to areas like education, health and socio-economic development and programmes for women and children.

“Its main aim is to win back the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the spokesman said.

“Women and children have been the worst sufferers of terrorist activities. So they have been the natural focus of Operation Sadbhavana for improving their lot and ameliorating their sufferings,” the spokesman noted.