In the news, we typically hear about Kashmiri youth pelting stones at Indian Army personnel. We hear about army crackdowns on civilians and gun battles with insurgents and militants. What we hear about much less, is the Army’s outreach programs in the Valley and other parts of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
IIT-JEE is one of the most difficult exams in the country and it is an army initiative that helped young Kashmiris crack it. The program run by Centre for Social Responsibility and Learning (CSRL), the training partner of the Indian Army, has been in place since 2013 and this year it has yielded the best results ever.
The army’s outreach called Kashmir Super 40 managed to achieve the same results as some of the best coaching centres in the country. About 78% was the result. 26 boys and 2 girls managed to clear with the help of an all expenses paid army premises training camp based in Srinagar.
The competitive entrance exam of IIT JEE featured 15 Kashmiri students via last year’s outreach; the Indian Army Super 30 training program. Poor and meritorious students benefit from the 11 month intensive academic course.
The long periods of unrest in the valley has meant extended periods of curfew, closed schools and children missing classes for long periods. Here as well, the Indian army’s outreach program helps. Kids of classes nine and ten were offered career counseling to help them decide on career options.
At the Al Muzammil Welfare Trust & Orphanage, the army personnel led by the General Officer Commanding, distributed sweets and gifts such as blankets and solar lights.
The army also organizes medical camps in remote areas for people without access to medical attention. Sporting events are also organised by the army to keep youth engaged and fit and to and so that they don’t turn to violence.
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