ARMY AND AWAAM CONNECT
The equation between Army and Security forces and AWAAM today stands at best of the pedestal. The continuous efforts by the Army and security forces to help the AWAAM in various possible ways has yielded results. The connect today is stronger than ever. Army has been working hand in hand with AWAAM and helping them when the situation goes out of the control of local administration. Indian Army and other security forces in order to give exposure to the youth and students of Kashmir and make them more aware of India has been organising Bharat Darshan tours for them. During these tours students get an exposure to the cultural diversity of India and the development that is taking place across the nation. It makes them more connected to rest of India. In order to ensure quality education for the children of kashmir whose studies are affected by terrorism, Army is running a chain of Army Goodwill schools. There are 45 such schools across J & K which are providing quality education to around 15000 students. Army is not only catering for shaping the future of youth but is also considerate about the fraction of society which is uneducated and have surpassed the school age. Army takes various initiatives to help such people develop a skill so that they can sustain themselves by earning a living through the acquired skill. Such examples are conducting workshop in order to help them learn wood cutting or providing ladies with sewing machine which will help them to make a living. In order to develop a strong bond, nothing is better than sports or adventure. Indian army conducts various sports events such as volleyball, Cricket, Cycling, and Biking expedition for people of kashmir. People show great enthusiasm in such events and turn out in large numbers for participation. Indain Army has always been on the forefront to help the AWAAM in case of natural calamities such as flood. Security forces never shy away from helping families in need when local support is not available like helping women due for delivery to reach hospital in adverse weather conditions when the stste mechanism fails. Such genuine and continuous gestures by Indian Army has helped it to carve place for themselves in the AWAAM’s heart. No amount of instigation by ANEs is going to affect it. The popularity of such elements has hit the bottom and has no support base. People of Kashmir have now understood their ways of exploitation and completely rejected them. Indian Army and security forces are to be commended for this transformation in the attitude of local populace of Kashmir.
