Sadbhavana scheme

15.01.2024

Sadbhavana scheme , Daily Current Affairs, RACE IAS :- Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow

Why in the news? 

The Army has recently adopted Topa Pir village in Poonch district as a model village under the Sadbhavana scheme.

Key Points

• Topa Pir village came to limelight after a video of alleged torture of civilians went viral in December 2023, in the wake of four soldiers being killed in an ambush by militants in Dera Ki Gali area on December 21.
• Three civilians were found dead after they were taken into custody for questioning by the Army.
• The incident evoked widespread criticism and dented the goodwill among the Gujjars and Bakarwals, who mainly inhabit areas close to the LoC in the region.
• Three Army officers, including the Brigadier in-charge, were attached until pending inquiry after the incident.
• Against this backdrop, the Indian Army has launched this scheme to reach out to the locals in Pir Panjal valley.

About Operation Sadbhavana

• Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) launched in February 2023 is a unique humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army in Ladakh to address aspirations of people affected by terrorism, sponsored and abetted by Pakistan.
• Under this, the Indian Army is undertaking multiple welfare activities such as running Army Goodwill Schools, Infrastructure Development Projects and Education Tours etc.
• The objectives achieved through this scheme are national integration tours, women empowerment, employment generation, education and development activities towards nation building.
• ‘Operation SADBHAVANA’ projects are selected after taking local aspirations into consideration, in conjunction with local civil administration.
• It is ensured that there is no duplicacy with projects of civil administration.

Various activities under the Operation Sadbhavana

• The Indian Army is presently running seven Army Goodwill Schools (AGS) under this scheme in Ladakh Region.
• More than 2,200 Students are currently studying in these schools.
• Medical camps, veterinary camps, provision of medical equipment, upgradation of medical infrastructure and staffing of Medical Aid Centres have been provided at various remote locations in Ladakh.
• Assistance is provided including construction, upgradation and provisioning of equipment for community halls, water supply schemes, provision of generators, solar lighting etc.
• Various Infrastructure projects have been allotted and planned in all districts of UT of Ladakh as part of this programme.
• Women in remote areas of Ladakh are being empowered through various training programmes organized and funded through ‘Operation SADBHAVANA’.
• These include vocational Training Centres, Women Empowerment Centres and Computer Centres at various locations in Ladakh.
• In addition, training classes for women are also being organized for various activities i.e. Pashmina Shawl Weaving, Wool Knitting, Extraction of Apricot Oil, Yak Cheese Making, Yak Cheese Baking.
• Girl students have a fair representation in the education fund outlay of ‘Operation SADBHAVANA’.
• Further, ‘Kargil Ignited Minds’ an initiative exclusively for girl students of Kargil is launched. It has been launched for preparation for various competitive examinations for admissions into various professional colleges and institutions in India.

                                                               Source:The Hindu