During the Indian Army’s National Integration Tour under ‘Operation Sadbhavna,’ 25 children from the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities of Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir, met with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan, Shimla, today.
The Governor warmly interacted with the children, commending the Indian Army’s efforts in organizing these exposure tours for youth from remote and border areas. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering national integration and helping young minds appreciate the country’s diversity and development. Governor Shukla encouraged the children to pursue their education diligently and contribute to the nation’s growth.
The tour started at Mamoon Cantt and reached Chandigarh on September 28, where the students met the Governors of Punjab and Haryana and visited the Western Command Headquarters. They also explored key tourist sites such as the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake.
In Shimla, the final destination of the journey, the children toured the Annandale Museum, Bird Sanctuary, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Headquarters.
Expressing their gratitude, the children thanked the Indian Army for the enriching experience and the Governor for his encouraging words and hospitality.
