Gujjar & Bakarwal Students Inspired by Major General Ajay Feroz Shah During Visit to Army Training Command Shimla
In a bid to promote national integration and strengthen community relations, 25 students from the Gujjar and Bakarwal community in Kathua district were given the opportunity to visit the Headquarters Army Training Command (HQ ARTRAC) in Shimla on 3 October 2025. This visit was organized under the Indian Army’s Operation Sadbhavana as part of a National Integration Tour.
The purpose of the visit was to expand the students' understanding, familiarize them with the armed forces, and inspire them to make significant contributions to national development.
During their time at HQ ARTRAC, the students engaged in an interactive session with Major General Ajay Feroz Shah, the Officiating Chief of Staff at ARTRAC. He encouraged them to excel in their educational pursuits, embrace discipline as a lifestyle, and commit themselves to serving the nation.
Major General Shah also highlighted the importance of resilience, determination, and a strong moral compass as vital leadership traits. The session inspired the students to aspire to greater heights, work diligently, and actively contribute to the nation's unity and progress.
The Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are notable nomadic tribes mostly found in the hilly terrains of Jammu & Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh. Traditionally involved in pastoralism, they migrate seasonally with their livestock between highland and lowland areas according to the seasons.
Despite their rich cultural heritage and key role in the regional economy, these communities have faced longstanding socio-economic challenges, including restricted access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Programs such as Operation Sadbhavana play a vital role in bridging these gaps by fostering education, exposure, and national integration among youth from isolated and marginalized regions. The visit to ARTRAC marks a significant step in empowering these students to become responsible citizens and active contributors to India’s development trajectory.
