Kupwara [2 FEB, 2021] – 160 Inf Bn (TA) organized a ‘Drawing Competition and Screening Program for Deaf and Mute’ children and youth on 02 Feb, 2021 at the Patahiri garrison. The event was attended by 40 male and female youngsters from several villages of Kupwara. The theme of the drawing competition was ‘Republic Day’ and ‘Mahatma Gandhi Martyrdom Day.
CO 160 Inf Bn (TA) (H&H) (Kupwara Terriers), Col Swaraj Bhattacharya, rewarded the to the top three paintings and also applauded all other participants for their beautiful work and expressing their thoughts and emotions artistically through sketches and paintings.
A screening program was also conducted where Dr. Iqbal Najar, Director Jan Shikshan Sansthan (Kupwara) and his team interacted with the youngsters. Dr Najar felicitated the participants with trophies to encourage them and also assured them that the department will introduce Special Skill Development Programs which will be created keeping in mind the needs of the deaf and mute.
Col Bhattacharya added, “The aim of these skill development programs is to provide these youngsters with access to free courses and skills that will help them to get employed in the future and become self-reliant earning members for their families.
The Indian army is always in the forefront of conducting such initiatives and aims to reach out to the local community and integrate them with mainstream economy.