Vajra Corps Chief Lt Gen Amit Kabthiyal, AWWA’s Shubhra Meet 40 Poonch Students on Tour
Lieutenant General Amit Kabthiyal, YSM, SM**, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Indian Army’s Vajra Corps, and Mrs Shubhra Kabthiyal, Zonal President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), met 40 students from Poonch district during their visit to the Vajra Corps Zone. The students were taking part in a National Integration Tour organised by the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), or CIF (R).
The tour is intended to give students from Jammu and Kashmir the opportunity to explore places and environments beyond their home region, broaden their perspectives and learn about India’s diversity, institutions and opportunities. The interaction with the Army leaders formed part of that visit, giving the students a chance to speak with senior representatives of the service.
Army leaders encourage students to pursue their ambitions
During the meeting, Lt Gen Kabthiyal urged the students to dream big, pursue excellence and consider opportunities beyond geographical and social boundaries. He encouraged them to recognise their potential and work towards personal and professional goals through education, determination and dedication.
The discussion also emphasised confidence, discipline and a positive outlook. For students from remote and border areas, exposure to different institutions, career paths and professional settings can help them consider a wider range of possibilities for the future.
Mrs Shubhra Kabthiyal’s participation brought an additional personal dimension to the engagement and reflected AWWA’s role in supporting the educational and personal development of young people. The interaction offered the visitors an opportunity to ask questions and engage with senior Army representatives in an encouraging setting.
A tour organised by CIF (Romeo)
CIF (R), which organised the National Integration Tour, is a formation of the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles. It has counter-insurgency and security responsibilities in the Jammu region. Alongside its operational duties, the Army conducts civic outreach and youth engagement initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir to build relationships with local communities.
National Integration Tours are among those initiatives. They take students from remote and border areas beyond their home regions, with opportunities to experience different cultures and gain exposure to educational, technological and professional environments. The programmes aim to broaden participants’ understanding of the country while promoting mutual respect, national unity and a sense of belonging.
For the 40 students from Poonch, the visit to the Vajra Corps Zone provided an experience beyond their familiar surroundings and direct contact with senior Army leadership. Poonch lies along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and is a strategically important border district. Outreach initiatives can offer students in such areas greater exposure to educational and career possibilities beyond their immediate environment.
Youth engagement and community ties
The interaction forms part of the Army’s wider focus on youth empowerment, community engagement and national integration in Jammu and Kashmir, including areas facing geographical isolation and security challenges. Along with National Integration Tours, educational outreach, sports activities and other civic programmes are used to encourage constructive engagement with young people and help them develop confidence in their abilities.
Such programmes also create opportunities for interaction beyond the Army’s security responsibilities, helping strengthen ties between the Armed Forces and local communities. The involvement of senior leaders in the tour placed emphasis on encouraging students to continue their education, develop leadership qualities and contribute positively to society.
The message conveyed during the visit was that young people from border regions should be able to explore their interests, develop their talents and aspire to careers across different fields. The interaction at Vajra Corps carried the theme, “Dream Beyond Boundaries, Aspire Beyond Limits,” encouraging the students to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.
