defence diary: INS Shivaji’s environment drive

PUNE: Around 22 students from Akhnoor,Jammu & Kashmir witnessed the passing out parade of the National Defence Academy. The students are on a 12-day tour as part of Army’s Op Sadbhavana programme and have visited the film city,Water kingdom,Essel World,Gateway of India. “The trip has filled confidence in me and now I want to do something good to make a difference,” said Sidhant Sharma,one of the students. Rahul Datt,a teacher said,“They all come from remote and far-flung areas and had never even seen train in their lives before coming for this trip. The motto of the programme is to motivate them to do well in their lives”. A Press Information bureau,Ministry of Defence press releases quoted another teacher Pradeep Kumar,“The Army has helped us a lot in our villages in Akhnoor area. They have constructed roads,provided computers and other study materials for the schools.”