BANDIPORA YOUTH FESTIVAL

BANDIPORA: With the mercury showing signs of improvement in the coming days after the bleak winters it was the perfect time for the Army to launch hobby and activity clubs to create greater awareness in the youth about their culture and surroundings. 3 MADRAS Battalion of 81 Mountain Brigade launched the Camera Club, the Eco Club and the Joggers Club at a colourful ceremony in Higher Secondary School, Kuyil in coordination with the Zonal Education Officer. 

 

The Camera Club would teach school children how to click photographs using digital cameras. Theme based photography competitions to create awareness in ­­preserving the environment, portraying Kashmiri culture and learning about wildlife would be the next step in this direction. The ‘Eco Club’ would be a first step towards creating mission oriented groups of young children in local schools to arrest deforestation and launch a tree plantation drive in the coming summers. On this occasion 39 students of the recently concluded Computer Education Course were also awarded certificates by the Commanding Officer 3 MADRAS and Zonal Education Officer.

The Joggers Club would promote healthy lifestyle amongst the youth. A Mini Marathon ‘Run for Fun’ as part of the youth festival starting on 26^thFeb, has also been planned for 04^th March at Bandipora in conjunction with the DC, Bandipora and Police. On this day youth from all three directions Bunakut, Erin & Aragam and Aloosa will take part in a Mini Marathon towards the heart of Bandipora and finish at Kulus Higher Secondary School. Besides this a Tri - cycle race for the Physically Challenged will also be organized alongwith a host of activities for girls below 14 years and children by 6 PARA.

A Valedictory Function for the Youth from Bandipora who have successfully completed their two months training as part of the Skill Development Programme “ATHROUT” in Retail, Hospitality and IT Enabling Services will be organised on 2 Feb, which will also mark the commencement of the next four batches of Skill Development Programme under the Youth Employment Generation Node (YEGN).

The ten day long Youth Festival which commenced on 26^th Feb will also include “BUZURGON KI DEKHBAL” in which four Medical Camps will be organised to inculcate the Tehzeeb to look after our elders of Bandipora by 14 Rashtriya Rifles. In these camps 80 hearing aids, Tri – Cycles to the physically challenged will also be distributed. A unique feature of this will be to teach the youth in different parts of the Bandipora Tehsil basic First Aid techniques.