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Army takes Kashmiri kids out for tour

For all, it is the first visit to the Capital. They witnessed the Republic Day parade and visited the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid and Lotus Temple.

Accompanied by eight teachers and military officials - the exercise is under the army's aegis - they also visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Project Jyoti, as the army has dubbed the exercise, is an endeavour to expose the children to the country's varied and rich cultural heritage.

"It is a minuscule effort with a broad perspective to spread the message of goodwill and integrate them with the national mainstream,'' Army Chief General V P Malik, who interacted with the kids on Friday, said.

The project started last year with children from Kashmir's Kupwara district. ''Now we would also like some non-governmental organisations to come forward,'' General Malik said.

Altaf Hussain Mir, a teacher from Sopian in Pulwama district, said his school was still to be recognised by the state government. Consequently, it remained bereft of many facilities.

The army chief assured him all help to take up the matter with the authorities.

The students will be in Agra Saturday to see the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. Before their departure for Jammu on February 5, they would also squeeze into their 14-day sojourn Chandigarh and Ambala.

The students were selected on the basis of their academic performance and an interview.

''The interactions during the tour will enable the children imbibe the spirit of tolerance and co-existence which is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of India,'' the army chief said.

UNI

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