Saroori flag in OP Sadbawna tour at Kishtwar.

Kishtwar Dec 23:- In order to instill a sense of national integration among the people of remote and backward areas of J&K, an educational cum motivational tour to Trivandrum, Coimbatore and Ooty comprising of two teachers and 22 youths organized by Jangalwar based Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. The tour consisted of youth from remotest areas of Kishtwar district bordering Anantnag and Leh district belong to different government and private educational institutes

The tour which was flagged off by General Officer Commanding, Headquarters, Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) on December 7, 2012 was today flagged in by Mr G M Saroori, MLA Inderwal at Kishtwar Helipad in presence of important military and civil dignitaries including Brig Hitesh Kohli, Commander 9 Sector RR, DC Kishtwar Saleem Mohammad Chowdhary, SP Kishtwar Bhim Sen Tuti, ASP Kishtwar Kulbir Singh, Project Head GVK R K Khali.

Saroori in his address designated the youth participating in the tour as the ambassadors of J&K, who visit the South Indian destinations and share their experiences about the rich and diverse culture, tradition, heritage and the advancement made in the areas they would visit with one and all in their native places on return. He congratulated the participants and hoped that the educational tour would have given the children an opportunity to see for themselves, how peace and tranquility in other parts of the country has ushered in prosperity. He hoped that the children would have brought back with them rich experiences and would spread the message of peace and harmony in their own little way amongst their family and friends. He also complimented the troops of Rashtriya Rifles unit for having achieved excellent synergy with the environment.

The tour accompanied, guided and administered by one officer, one JCO and two NCOs spent 16 days in travel and sightseeing as well as interaction with civil and military dignitaries and students at various educational institutions. They visited places like Kovalam Beach, Natural History Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Technology, East Fort, Napier Museum, Zoological Park and Padmanabha Swamy Temple. They also visited a PG College and interacted with students; however the main attraction at Trivandrum was visit to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Priyadarshini Space Planetorium.

They also visited the Air Force Station, Coimbatore and were given the opportunity to witness the final dress rehearsal of Standard Presentation by President. At Ooty, the tour was rendered a very warm welcome by Commandant and all ranks of the Madras Regimental Centre, and the youth got an opportunity to interact with the Commandant over high tea. They were also given a brief on evolution of Indian Army and Madras Regiment by audio visuals. During their stay at Ooty they also visited SIMs Park, Boat House, Botanical garden and Dotta Betta Hill, from where they viewed the Eastern and Western Ghats as well as their junction through a telescope installed there.