Indian Army Strengthens Civil–Military Ties through Youth Mentorship, Medical Camps in Pir Panjal

Convener News Desk 

Rajouri/Poonch, Jan 17: Continuing its sustained commitment towards community welfare, youth empowerment and civil–military harmony, the Indian Army carried out a series of Defence Outreach initiatives across Rajouri and Poonch districts on Saturday encompassing academic mentoring for Territorial Army aspirants, cyber awareness programmes, healthcare outreach and social engagement with senior citizens.

In Budhal area of Rajouri, the Indian Army organised coaching classes for the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for Territorial Army (TA) aspirants, aimed at guiding and mentoring local youth to enhance their academic preparedness and confidence. Army instructors conducted systematic training in key subjects, shared examination-oriented tips and addressed doubts through interactive sessions.

Alongside academic guidance, aspirants were motivated on the importance of discipline, physical fitness and the values of service to the nation. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation, with youth expressing gratitude for the Army’s meaningful support in shaping their aspirations.

Complementing these efforts, the Indian Army also conducted a lecture on cyber fraud awareness at Gunda, Rajouri, to educate residents, students and youth about the growing threat of online financial crimes. Army personnel explained common cyber fraud techniques including phishing, fake calls, online scams, social media frauds and misuse of OTPs. Practical guidance was provided on safe online practices, safeguarding personal information and steps to be taken in case of suspected cyber fraud. The session saw active participation from the local population and was widely appreciated as a timely initiative addressing an issue of national concern.

In another significant youth-centric initiative, the Indian Army successfully culminated a 27-day preparatory training programme for Territorial Army aspirants at Surankote, Poonch, on 17 January 2026. Conducted from 22 December 2025 to 17 January 2026, the programme catered to candidates who had already cleared the Physical and Medical Tests and were preparing for the Written Examination scheduled on 18 January 2026 at Government PG College, Rajouri.

A total of 42 youths from across the Area of Responsibility benefitted from structured academic sessions designed to strengthen conceptual clarity and examination readiness. Books and study material were distributed to all participants, who highly appreciated the Army’s guidance and commitment towards youth empowerment and nation-building.

Extending its outreach to healthcare, the Indian Army conducted a Mega Medical Camp at Piri, Rajouri, on 17 January 2026, in collaboration with Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri. Specialist doctors from the Army and GMC provided quality healthcare services to residents of remote hamlets including Panjnara, Sakri, Dheri, Ghakrote and Gurasarkari.

The camp witnessed a large turnout, with patients receiving free health check-ups, consultations and medicines. The collaborative efforts of the Army, local administration and GMC ensured the success of the initiative, further strengthening trust between the Army and the local population.

As part of Army Day celebrations, the Indian Army also organised “Saanjh Ki Garima – Honouring Our Senior Citizens” at Neelam, Poonch, acknowledging the wisdom, resilience and contributions of the elderly members of the community. The event featured meaningful interactions between Army personnel and villagers, with special attention given to senior citizens, widows and children. As a gesture of goodwill and compassion, blankets and clothing were distributed. The initiative reflected the Army’s core values of dignity, empathy and inclusive care, particularly in remote and sensitive areas.

Together, these initiatives underscore the Indian Army’s holistic approach to nation-building, reinforcing its role not only as a guardian of the nation’s borders but also as a steadfast partner in the social, educational and humanitarian development of the region.