JK: RSS adopts militancy hit Muslim children

Reasi (J&K), Jun 25: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated NGO, Sewa Bharti has adopted 100 children, most of them Muslims, from militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir to provide them education at least upto Higher Secondary level.

The group of 57 children (38 Muslims and 19 Hindus) including nine girls, in the age group of six to 13 years, from militancy affected areas of Gul, Mohore, Dharmani and Buddhal tehsils in Udhampur and Rajouri districts, left for New Delhi yesterday and reached the RSS headquarters in New Delhi this morning.

Talking to UNI from Delhi the president of Seva Bharati, Hrishipal Dedwal told that another group of 10 children from Udhampur will reach New Delhi within a couple of days. Around two dozen children, mostly from Muslim community have been adopted by Seva Bharati from Kishtawar in Doda district 20 days ago, he added.

Mr Dedwal further said , ''the children got a grand welcome in Jhandewala and all the are very happy and want to make their career.'' The NGO has planned to adopt more children from other militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

57 children, whose parents were killed by militants in recent years have been selected by the Uniform Force of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), under operation Sadbhawana, left yesterday for New Delhi, where they will get education up to Higher Secdondary Level. The bus carrying them was flagged off by Mrs Denise Bhatnagar, President Army Wife Welfare Association (AWWA), Uniform Force yesterday in presence of General Officer Commaning (GOC) Uniform Force Major General Vinay Bhatnagar.

The children will be admitted to Sevadham High School Mandauli, Gopal Dham High School, Rajendra Nagar and Nanda Balgram Hish School, Khurd Alipur run and funded by Seva Bharati with the help of RSS.

Sewa Bharati, a Delhi based NGO of RSS which is already rendering the much needed service to the economically weaker, socially backward and neglected children, has adopted these children.

''We will provide them free education, boarding and lodging and all other support that will help them grow into proud Indian citizens,'' said R S Mahas of Sewa Bharati.

While addressing the gathering Major General Bhatnagar blessed the children for a bright future and expressed his thanks to Sewa Bharati for their humane gesture. He highlighted that such an approach by the NGOs and similar organisations from various parts of the country will go a long way in boosting the Army's efforts to bring in an era of peace and prosperity in J&K and more so root out the evil of terrorism from this region.

Mahas of Sewa Bharati also addressed the gathering and informed that though the children are being adopted for an all-round support up to of class XII education, deserving cases may be supported further for their higher education too.

Talking to mediaperson the public relations officer of Uniform Force Colonel K K Jha said, "We will be in regular touch with officials of Seva Bharati and monitor their facilities for children. The children raising the alogan 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' also talked to media about their aims in life."

UNI