Indian army initiative to connect with tribal community residing on Indo-China border
Indian army initiative to connect with tribal community residing on Indo-China border
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, May 25
To fulfill it’s commitment to strengthen relation with local communities at border regions, Indian army has constructed a closed primary school at Gunji border region at Indo-China border and a cultural central at Dharchula, for the use of Rung community, the original inhabitants of three high Himalayan valleys of Vyans, Darma and Chaudans.
The initiative have been taken under ‘Operation Sadbhavna.’ “The primary school at Gunji, that had closed in 1995 due to shortage of students following migration of families from the villages surrounding Gunji, has now been rebuild by army and a total of 8 students admitted in the newly constructed school, are being taught by army men presently,” said Vimla Gunjiyal, gram pradhan of Gunji and retired IG(IPS), of Uttarakhand police.
According to Gunji gram pradhan, army has spent a total of Rs 72 lakh to create facility of teaching 75 students at the school.” As some villagers have started living in border region permanently due to livelihood opportunities created due to ‘Adi Kailash’ pilgrimage in recent years, the school is likely to remain open once it gets state education department permission, “said the Gunji gram pradhan.
The another gift, army presented to Rung community is a new building named, ‘Rung- Bung- Mung center’, constructed at Dharchula, to make the tribal community celebrate their festivals and facilitate their socialising. “The center was inaugurated by General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding of central command of Indian army,” said Shalu Datal, a Rung community member present on the occasion.
“Besides these major constructions, the army has also renovated à old library building near Rung cultural museum, constructed a community building in Goo village of Darma valley, constructed 2 toilets in Jipti village and opened a library in Kuti village,” said Shalu Datal.
