Army Chief inaugurates Teethwal model village near LoC

Teethwal, Line of Control (LoC), June 22 (UNI) Army Chief General J J Singh today inaugurated and dedicated to the people the Teethwal model village.

The Army has created basic infrastructure such as road, water scheme, street lighting, a state-of-the-art community development centre besides other amenities in the model village which is separated from Chilliana village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Kishenganga river.

After the inauguration, Gen Singh gifted two mini-buses, an ambulance and recreational assets such as an amphitheater to the village.

The dedication of this model infrastructure culminated the massive rehabilitation and reconstruction drive undertaken by the Army under ''Operation Sadbhavana''.

Later addressing the locals, the Army chief said, ''we want to improve the quality of life and provide basic necessities such as education, health-care, clean environment, employment opportunities to youth and most importantly to create a 'can do' spirit to make a better society.'' He further stressed on the need for women empowerment and social uplift with special emphasis on education and sports for children of the region.

Gen Singh reiterated that the Indian Army has and will remain in the forefront of all pursuits of nation-building, especially in creation of a generation with vision for growth and prosperity.

During his stay here, he met the locals and officials of civil administration and gave them a patient hearing.

This was Gen Singh's third visit to the village.

During his previous visit on November 12 last year in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake of October 8, he had directed for adoption and development of Teethwal into a model village.

In accordance with those directives, the Army assiduously preserved and literally resurrected Teethwal from its rubble.

The model village stands out today as a ''realisation of his vision of a resurgent society and is the cynosure of the state''.

Apart from the physical reconstruction, the Army has also endeavoured for social resurgence in the region and initiated various projects for women empowerment and youth development.

A number of vocational classes, including sewing, knitting, weaving and embroidery, were being run in the village.

During a first recruitment drive conducted in this village on the request of locals recently, the Army selected 18 out of 75 boys.

The model village project was completed in seven months. the village now has a state-of-the-art gymnasium, volleyball and basketball courts as well as a cricket ground.

During his day-long visit, the Army Chief also visited several forward areas in Kupwara district of north Kashmir and interacted with the troops.

Gen Singh also awarded Chief of Army Staff commendation cards to ten soldiers who foiled an infiltration bid recently. He also awarded these cards to the personnel at Teethwal village.

UNI AG VD GC1710