Forty students from Poonch district met senior Indian Army representatives during a National Integration Tour visit to the Vajra Corps Zone. The group interacted with 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).
The students were taking part in a tour organised by the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), commonly known as CIF (R). The initiative gives young people from Jammu and Kashmir opportunities to visit new places and learn about the country’s diversity, institutions and opportunities.
Army leaders encourage students to pursue their ambitions
During the interaction, Lt Gen Amit Kabthiyal urged the students to dream big, pursue excellence and consider opportunities beyond geographical and social boundaries. The engagement focused on recognising their potential and working towards personal and professional goals through education, determination and dedication.
Mrs Shubhra Kabthiyal’s participation brought an additional encouraging presence to the meeting. The students had an opportunity to speak with senior Army representatives in an environment intended to foster curiosity, ambition and confidence.
National Integration Tour organised by CIF (Romeo)
Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) is a formation of the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, involved in counter-insurgency operations and security responsibilities in the Jammu region. The Army also conducts civic outreach and youth engagement initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir alongside its operational duties.
National Integration Tours take students from remote and border areas beyond their home regions, offering exposure to different cultures and educational, technological and professional environments. For the Poonch group, the visit to the Vajra Corps Zone included an opportunity to meet senior military leadership.
Connecting with young people in border regions
Poonch is a border district in Jammu and Kashmir, situated along the Line of Control. The Army’s outreach programmes in the region include tours, educational initiatives and sports activities intended to encourage engagement with young people and broaden their exposure to opportunities.
The interaction highlighted the role of direct engagement in building ties between the Army and local communities. Its message, “Dream Beyond Boundaries, Aspire Beyond Limits,” encouraged the students to approach their futures with confidence and determination.
