Sadhbhavna tour: Girls from Kashmir visit City Beautiful

Mona

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, july 21

The Tribune had some unlikely visitors on Wednesday afternoon — a bunch of chirpy young girls from Kashmir. On a Sadhbhavna Tour, following Major Shaurya Bhan and Captain Niharika Badotra, they marched step-in-step marvelling at how a newspaper is actully printed!

"Oh, we love Chandigarh," they cooed, most of them students of the Army Goodwill School, with two teachers in tow. The educational and motivational trip aimed at making them see the development in the country,  introducing them to career opportunities.

For 11-year old Mehak Mehtab it's the first trip away from family and the youngest in the group, fell in love with the City beautiful. "We have been to Delhi and Dehradun, but they are nothing like this city - such wide roads; clean and green," says the girl, aspiring to be a doctor. 

Siara Bano, a 17-year-old from Handwara and a class 11 student, wants to become a judge. Happy at the excursion, she talks of the big malls and the underground mall (Palika Bazaar) at Delhi, which left her stunned. 

Shamiyz Jaaj is a bubbly class 7 student, who can't wait to share how she wants to become an IAS officer. "Badi izzat hoti hai IAS officers ki," says the tiny girl from Sopar, who lives with her mama (maternal uncle) in Handwara for studies. Big dreams in her eyes, she is already into books so as to clear the tough exam later in life. 

These girls from Mawar, approximately 100 kilometres west of Srinagar, close to the Line of Control, were supposed to start the trip on July 8, but due to unrest in the valley they missed their flight. Later, they were taken via road. So, does the home situation trouble them? "Something is wrong. Mobile towers are not working, but we are good," says another young girl.

"Army has its Goodwill Schools in the valley and we regularly conduct these Sadhbhavna Tours under Op Sadbhavana programme, which focuses on quality education; women and youth empowerment," shares Major Shaurya, who is accompanying the group. "These are young, budding minds. Hopefully, trips like these will make and restore mutual goodwill," shares the Major, who with his team of nine is making sure that the girls enjoy their trip. 

While many of us would picture Kashmiris pelting stones at our defence forces, it is rather heartening to see that there are parents who send their wards to study in Army-run schools, and trust them with such trips. 

Captain Niharika is also with the group to address any issues that the girls might face.