Army says ready to help Kashmiri youths in career planning

Charar-e-Shareef: A senior army officer on Wednesday said the force is open to help Kashmiri youths who want to pursue conventional careers in life.

"We are pained when some youth shout slogans and then pick up stones and later some of them also pick up guns. We are pained when 17 or 18-year-old boys are killed in encounters," General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua told reporters in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

"Army and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) are in the nooks and corners of Kashmir and we have many programmes under which we are ready to help those youth who come to us. Our doors are open for them always," Dua said.

Citing examples of young achievers from the Valley, he said the youth have a choice to excel in their life or follow those who drive them off the track.

"Three girls from the state went to participate in the Republic Day parade, out of whom one from Anantnag was awarded the second best cadet in the whole country.

"We started 'Super 30' programme and a student was selected in IIT with a good rank. There are others as well. Another youth has been selected as a commissioned officer in army and is going for training.

"We want to tell the youth that you have a choice. You will find many who will drive you off the track and it is up to you whether you want to become like those I gave the examples of or not," Dua said.

Earlier, the GOC had inaugurated a Youth Fare dedicated to the aspirations of today's youth at the sports ground. The fare was aimed at providing a focused guidance on various career opportunities available for different age groups and qualifications.

TV personalities Jai Bhanshali and Kunwar Amarjeet Singh and Indian Hockey team member Yuvraj Valmiki were also present at the event.