Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 11
India’s Northern Command will remain committed to maintaining peace in Jammu and Kashmir while contributing to development and expanding opportunities for young people, its chief Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma said on Friday.
Addressing an event at Army Goodwill Public School in Pahalgam, Sharma said the Army’s role in the region extended beyond security to education, development and youth empowerment.
“As we march towards Viksit Bharat, Northern Command will continue to remain committed to nation-building while ensuring peace and tranquillity,” Sharma said.
“Your peace is our purpose, your aspirations are our missions, and your success is our pride,” he said.
Sharma was speaking at an event marking 10 years of an educational partnership between Army Goodwill Schools and the Bharti Airtel Foundation.
The partnership, which initially covered 14 schools, has expanded to all 43 Army Goodwill Schools across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, focusing on institutional leadership, classroom practices, academic management, teacher training and technology-enabled learning.
The initiative also supports implementation of India’s National Education Policy 2020 and promotes scientific research and innovation among students.
Army officials said Army Goodwill School Wuzur secured third place, and the school at Uri secured sixth place nationally in Young Scientist India 2025. Wuzur also recently featured among the top 10 schools in the Innovation category.
Innovation clubs across the schools have supported more than 160 student-led projects, with participation in programmes including ISRO YUVIKA, INSPIRE-MANAK and Young Scientist India.
Sharma urged students to set ambitious goals and remain committed to achieving them.
Bharti Airtel Foundation Co-Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal pledged continued support for the schools over the next decade and announced initiatives including library books, sports coaching, smart classrooms, higher-education scholarships and cash incentives for meritorious students.
