Indian Army’s NIT Initiative is a positive step towards building a more inclusive and united society which should be supported by all the citizens of our country.
Dear readers, in our NIT series we are trying to lift up the voice of those students of Modern College, Piphema who visited western part of India under the guidance of Indian Army.18 students and two teachers went to Delhi and Ahmedabad as part of NIT with Assam Rifles.
Chumthungo Patton was one such lucky student who was part of this National Integration Tour.
“This initiative by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles is really commendable.
It provides the students, an opportunity to learn about the rich culture and heritage of different regions of India and fosters a sense of unity amongst the youth from diverse background.
As a student from the remote state of Nagaland, visiting western India was a fascinating experience for me.”
Interacting and spending time with the children at the Sabarmati Ashram was a joyful and emotional moment for this Nagaland boy.
“I was awestruck by the stunning architecture of the Sabarmati Ashram.Walking through the Ashram ,I felt a sense of peace and reverence for the great leader. Spending time with the talented young one’s in the Ashram was the best and emotional feeling which will forever remain fresh in my life.”
Assam Rifles and Army in the North East ensure the safety and security of the people there.Their constant presence and vigilance help in maintaining peace and stability in those areas specially considering the history of conflict and insurgency in the region. While it is reassuring to know that these forces are working tirelessly to keep the North East people safe,it is also important for them to operate with sensitivity and respect for the local communities to build trust and co-operation .Overall, their presence is crucial in maintaining peace and security in the North East.
However, traveling to those historical and famous places in Delhi was a great learning experience for Chumthungo.
“Visiting India Gate , Red Fort and War Memorial which honors the bravery of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation was a great part of this educational tour.It offered me an engaging and emotionally touching experience.”
Visiting Golden Katar Division of Indian Army added an extra flair to his journey.
“On the third day we visited the Golden Katar Division where we got the opportunity to meet and interact with the GOC and other senior officials. We also got the opportunity to have a tank ride which is one of the best and memorable experiences in my life.”
This tour was an eye opener for Chumthungo Patton.
As a huge fan of cricket, he enjoyed watching a match live.This youngster of Modern College shared with a happy heart.
“We also got the opportunity to be in the world’s largest cricket stadium, i.e., the Narendra Modi stadium to witness the opening match of the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 played between England and New Zealand. The intensity inside the stadium was all a wow moment. It was a great experience”.
This Sadbhavna project of Indian Army which aims to foster goodwill and harmony among the people of different regions in India can definitely help the youth in the North East region in general and Nagaland in particular. Through initiative like educational opportunities , tour etc can empower the youth in Nagaland to contribute towards the progress and prosperity of their community. The project can also pave the way for a brighter future for the youths of Nagaland and North East region as a whole.
(With Inputs from Army Authorities)
(Author is a Senior Journalist working for British Media with 20 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports.In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism)
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