Jammu, December 05: Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to community welfare, youth empowerment and disaster preparedness under Operation Sadbhavana, the Indian Army and the Ace of Spades Division of White Knight Corps conducted multiple outreach and capacity-building initiatives across Jammu & Kashmir, spanning education support, healthcare delivery, environmental awareness, inspirational youth activities and a large-scale inter-agency disaster preparedness exercise.
At Model Academy Sagra, Mankote (Poonch), the Indian Army organised a special outreach programme during which complete school uniforms and stationery kits were distributed to more than 100 Below Poverty Line (BPL) students.
During interactions with students, teachers and villagers, emphasis was laid on the transformative role of education in empowering youth and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of remote border communities.
Village elders and school authorities expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Army for its sustained goodwill efforts under Operation Sadbhavana.
In Village Kuchhal, District Kishtwar, the Indian Army organised a Medical and Talent Hunt Camp, benefiting 120 residents including 45 women, 55 men and 20 children.
Free medical check-ups were conducted and essential medicines distributed to needy families, ensuring vital healthcare access in the remote mountain region.
Alongside healthcare delivery, community members attended an awareness session focusing on hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention, helping promote healthier living practices.
Simultaneously, a Talent Hunt programme was conducted to provide schoolchildren and youth a platform to display their cultural flair and academic talents.
Local residents echoed their appreciation for the Army’s holistic outreach, acknowledging its role in improving quality of life while strengthening bonds of trust between the Armed Forces and civilian communities.
Emphasising environmental responsibility, the Mendhar Brigade under the Ace of Spades Division, White Knight Corps, organised a vibrant Drawing Competition in Poonch as part of the ongoing Swachhta Pakhwada campaign.
Children enthusiastically expressed their vision of a cleaner, greener and healthier India through colourful artworks promoting hygiene, environmental stewardship and sustainability. Their paintings reflected innocence, awareness and civic pride, echoing the core values of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Continuing its youth engagement initiatives, the Mendhar Brigade organised a special screening of the inspiring film “Sitare Zameen Par” for students of Government Primary School, Tai Basti, Poonch.
The screening aimed to foster messages of hope, confidence, creativity and self-belief among children in the remote border area. The students watched the film with great enthusiasm, deeply connecting with its themes of individual potential and perseverance.
To add warmth to the occasion, refreshments were served to all children following the screening.
Meanwhile, In a major disaster preparedness initiative, the Ace of Spades Division conducted a comprehensive Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise at Rajouri, bringing together multiple agencies including the NDRF, SDRF, Jammu & Kashmir Police (JKP), Civil Administration, Health Authorities and Technical Departments.
A coordinated Table-Top Exercise (TTE) was carried out using realistic high-risk scenarios such as landslides, flash floods, slope failures, forest fires, cloudbursts and medical pandemics.
Participants examined execution feasibility, resource mobilisation, evacuation plans, logistics for essential supplies, livestock relocation mechanisms, management of public behaviour during crises, and the need for reliable early-warning systems and interoperable SOPs. Structured engagement of trained community volunteers as first responders was also stressed.
Senior civil and military leaders lauded the professionalism and unity of participating organisations, acknowledging that the complementary strengths of all stakeholders would enable a swift, coordinated and effective response during real emergencies.
The exercise concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen inter-agency coordination, conduct joint drills and enhance grassroots preparedness across the Rajouri and Poonch districts, thereby building a resilient local disaster management framework.
Comments are closed.