‘Will help locals in employment’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 5: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today called upon multi-religion religious teachers hailing from two districts of Jammu region to work for maintenance of peace in the region and promised full support to them in meeting their local requirements.
“Religious teachers, who are Maulvis, Granthis and Pandits, and have gathered here (New Delhi) as part of national integration tour, showed how communities in Kashmir can live together. This is a significant message which is being sent to the people of Kashmir,” the Chief of Army Staff said after meeting the religious personalities.
He said he was happy to note that the areas (Reasi and Rajouri districts) from where the religious teachers hailed, there is hardly any militancy and people are living happily.
“Yes, there is scope for employment in these areas for which we have told them (the religious persons) that we will provide them help,” Gen Rawat said.
An official statement issued by the Army after the meeting said the Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat interacted with group of multi-religion religious teachers from former militancy hit areas of Reasi and Rajouri districts today. They were on a tour to North India as part of `Operation Sadbhavana’.
“The religious teachers represent the major religions in the valley and included 15 Maulvis, four Pandits and two Granthis. This capacity building tour, the first of its kind, showcases the secularism and unity of the Kashmiris working towards development of the region,” the Army chief said.
General Rawat exhorted upon the teachers to work towards maintaining peace in the region and promised full support to them towards fulfilling their local requirements.
“Indian Army’s stand reflects the core values of the nation and this initiative is guided by this idea,” he said.
The total duration of the visit is eight days from November 2 to 9.
During the conduct of the tour, these teachers will be taken to Wagah – Attari Border, Gobindgarh fort, Golden Temple at Amritsar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Akshardham Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Select City Walk Mall at Delhi, Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Pushkar Lake at Ajmer, the Army’s official statement said.
UNI adds from Amritsar:
A religious harmony tour for 21 religious teachers (Maulvi, Pandit & Granthis) from areas of Rajouri and Reasi was conducted at Amritsar by Panther Division from November 2 to 4 under the theme ‘Ek Kadam Aman Ki Aur’.
During the conduct of the tour, the religious teachers were given an opportunity to visit Wagah-Attari Border, Gobindgarh Fort, Partition Museum and Golden Temple at Amritsar. They also interacted with senior Army officers at Amritsar Cantonment and Khasa Military Stations.
The tour was organized to provide an opportunity to the teachers to interact with the environment outside and incorporate practices for self development. The tour besides providing platform for motivation and self-reliance also provided an exposure to the cultural heritage of the nation. It is part of an endeavor by Indian Army to win the hearts and minds of the local populace in J&K and promote national harmony & integration.
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