National Integration Tour flagged in

22nd October 2018

National Integration Tour flagged in

A 15 days long National Integration Tour (NIT) organised by Thoubal Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (South) under "OP SADBHAVANA" was flagged in by Major General KP Singh, YSM, Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) and Mr Paonem Brojen Singh, MLA Wangjing Tentha at Thoubal on Monday. The tour which comprised of 24 school students from various schools of Thoubal, one teacher and administrative team of Thoubal Battalion, was flagged off from Thoubal on 01st October 2018.

During the course of 15 days, the NIT team visited various places of national, historical and tourist attractions at New Delhi and Pune. The significant highlight of the tour at New Delhi was the children's interaction with the Honourable President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 5th October 2018. The team later visited the Mughal Gardens, Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Akshardham and Lotus temples in Delhi in addition to various shopping malls.

During the second leg of the visit to Pune, the children got a first hand chance of visiting the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla wherein they were exposed to the various tri-service training facilities to include the Air Force training team, Equitation training team, Indian Naval Ship Ronnie, Weapon Technology Block, Sudan Block and Peacock Bay. The children also interacted with Rear Admiral SK Grewal, VSM, Deputy Commandant of the NDA as well as NDA cadets hailing from Sainik School Imphal.

Apart from the NDA, the children also visited the College of Military Engineering and Headquarters Southern Command, Agha Khan Palace, Amanora Mall and E Square mall in Pune. One of the most enjoyable parts of the tour was the journey by the Indian Railways, which was undertaken by the students for the first time.

National Integration Tour flagged in

The children were visibly excited and happy to have been part of the tour. The same was conveyed by Master Bibek Singh of KM Blooming High School during the presentation made by him at the Flagging in ceremony. Over 300 people including students from eight schools of Thoubal and their parents were present during the event. Mr Paonem Brojen Singh, MLA Wangjing Tentha, exhorted the children to learn from their experiences, as such experiences help in shaping up personalities.

Major General KP Singh, YSM, IGAR (South) congratulated the students on the successful completion of the tour and guided the students to apply the knowledge and experience gained, in positively contributing to the society and the nation at large.

Souvenirs were presented to all students of the NIT team by Mrs Rachana Singh and framed photos of the visit were presented to Principals of all the schools whose children were part of the tour. The students and parents expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles for having provided them the opportunity of touring the country thereby creating memories of a lifetime.