Jammu and Kashmir army provides skill development to cut off areas

The army has come to the rescue of residents of Kishtwar who remain cut off from the rest of the country due to heavy snowfall in the area, by helping them with skill development.

"The harsh winters in Kishtwar district pose a unique challenge especially to the people residing in some of the remotest, backward and climatically inclement areas of Navapanchi, Sondar and Patnazi" Jammu based defense spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

He said that as these villages remain cut off from rest of the country during the winters, the residents do not get proper educational or employment avenues for which the army has taken up the task of providing skill development.

"The Delta Force of the army has embarked on a noble and innovative project of constructively engaging the youth of these areas so as to enhance the individual and community development skills," he said.

Mehta noted that empowering the youth mission especially young girls and women was undertaken by enrolling volunteer teachers of the area to impart and hone various skill development techniques.

"This included women empowerment by taking shawl weaving, stitching and cooking classes; community development by bringing in awareness regarding various government schemes and activities; personality development by introduction of English speaking classes, computer classes and enhancing public speaking skills," he said.

He said that the army was also preparing students for competitive examinations by holding tuition classes for science and mathematics.

"More than 250 students from Navapachi, 100 from Chhatru, 100 from Sondar, 250 from Kishtwar, 150 from Patnazi, 50 from Tetani, 70 from Shegwari, 120 from Philler, 100 from Thatri and 80 from Bhandarkot, benefited from these programmes," he said.