Rise in number of Kashmiri youth joining army a positive change'

The army on Wednesday said a large number of Kashmiri youth enrolling for recruitment in the force was a "positive change" and a very encouraging trend.

The army on Wednesday said a large number of Kashmiri youth enrolling for recruitment in the force was a "positive change" and a very encouraging trend.

"It is a positive change. We understand that the way people worked during the floods and their engagement with the army under (Operation) Sadbhawna as well as under the sports activities organised by the army to engage the youth and focused tours - all this has had a combined effect and that is why a large number of youth are coming up for recruitment," General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha said here.

The army commander said more than 700 youths from Kashmir were recruited in the army in the last five months of 2014.

"Last year, from July to December, 767 Kashmiri youths have enrolled in the army. We understand that Kashmiri youth coming for recruitment in large numbers is very encouraging and 25,000 youths had come for 1301 vacancies recently."

"This trend is very encouraging and we too get inspiration to do more such (recruitment) rallies," he said.

Lt Gen Saha was speaking after reviewing the passing out parade of 179 recruits from Jammu and Kashmir at the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regimental Centre on the outskirts of the city here.

He congratulated the young soldiers for their immaculate parade and impressed upon them to uphold the traditions of selfless service towards the nation.

The army commander also praised their contribution towards encouraging more and more youth from the state to come forward to join the army and highlighted the vital role played by the parents in motivating their wards to join the profession.