No bunkers in Delhi as there is peace
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 16: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today called upon the youths of Jammu and Kashmir to desist from terrorism and stone pelting and instead contribute in nation building process by joining Armed Forces.
He gave this advice to Jammu and Kashmir youth through students of the border district of Rajouri, who inter-acted with him in New Delhi today as part of their tour programme sponsored by the Indian Army from February 11 to 21.
An official handout issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the Army chief shared his experiences with the students and motivated them to work hard and contribute actively in the nation building process. He called upon the youths to join the Indian Armed Forces and serve cause of the nation.
The Army chief, who had returned from three-day tour of Nepal yesterday and held high-level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Line of Control (LoC) in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, was reported to have told the youth that some “external forces”, a point towards Pakistan, were trying to misguide the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and that they shouldn’t fall in their trap as it would spoil their career.
Gen Rawat advised the school children to desist from terrorism and stone pelting and reminded them that certain external forces are creating differences and misguiding the youths and that it was their (the students’) duty to thwart mischievous designs of the enemy as they have to build their career.
“Terrorism has never benefitted anyone. It is only the common man who has to suffer because of these activities and we will not let it to happen,” the Army chief said while interacting with visiting students from schools of the border areas of Rajouri district in Jammu region.
He told the students that they would not find any bunkers in New Delhi as there is peace here and all developmental works were going on. Similarly, if there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir, there will be no bunkers.
“It was duty of the young generation to ensure peace in the State and tell their colleagues, who have taken to wrong path by joining terrorism and stone pelting, that it was not in the interest of the country and the State,” he reportedly told the students.
The students have been brought on this tour with the aim of joining the national mainstream.
”We all live in a harmonious society where everyone can grow with their own ability and hard work but some external forces are trying to divide the people of Kashmir and youths should not fall prey to those divisive forces,” he advised.
“Terrorism paves the way for destruction and you all should be beware of these forces. The common man has to suffer from terrorism and it does not affect the separatist and Hurriyat leaders,” the Army chief explained.
“Anyone who is influenced by their (the separatists) ideology will ultimately destroy his life,” he added. “You have to grow up to serve the country, the villages you come from. So, stay away from elements involved in any kind of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Tell them that such activities will not yield any results,” Gen Rawat said.
“What differences did you see between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir? There is development here and cars ply freely in the streets. And, what else, there are no bunkers here, because there is peace,” he said.
“Why we bring youth like you here, so that you can see atmosphere of peace… The common man is the biggest sufferer of terrorism,” the Army chief said.
Rawat also exhorted the students to learn from failures and remember that success is only “short-lived”.
“There was a student in my school days, who was a senior to me in Class 9th. He failed his class, so he came to our class. In Class 10th, he gave a moderate performance, and passed, but in Class 11th, he topped. It took us all by surprise, but that was a great motivational story for us,” he said.
Encouraging the students, General Rawat said with sincere and hard work they can become expert in their respective fields. They can become doctors or engineers or teachers and they should first serve in their respective areas. In case of any failure, they should not feel discouraged or quit something but better fight it out with better zeal in their next attempt.
He also said that there is no discrimination in the Army and they can also join the defence forces and serve the nation.
General Rawat freely inter-acted with a group of 13 children of Classes 10th, 11th and 12th of the Government schools of the border areas of Rajouri district under the National Integration Programme and shared his experience with the children in an informal way.
The Army chief further said there is no discrimination in our country on the ground of caste and creed.
The tour started on February 11. After visiting Chandigarh, the students came to the national capital and visited tourist places like Red Fort, Akshardham Temple and India Gate besides a joy ride of the Metro train.
They will also visit Haridwar and Dehradun before returning home.
“The National Integration Tours are educational and motivations tours for youths of Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States with an aim to provide an insight into the rich heritage of the country as well as various developmental and industry initiatives that are underway, This initiative will expose them to various career options and enable them to interact with renowned personalities,” the PIB handout said.
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