Building a Future of Education for Children in Rural Border Villages of Jammu and Kashmir

In a heartwarming endeavor to transform the lives of children in rural border villages of RS Pura and Suchetgarh in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Navneet Kour, founder chairperson of the NGO ‘Support,’ and Vinod Kumar, chairman of POJK Displaced People Front, have come together to initiate a series of transformative programs focused on education and community upliftment.

Their joint initiative includes career counseling and awareness campaigns, designed to inspire the youth of these bordering villages to embrace education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The campaign also actively encourages participation in sports activities, fostering a culture of healthy living and camaraderie through inter-village volleyball and cricket matches.

Recognizing the pressing need for empowering the youth, the initiative introduced various skill projects, enabling young individuals to develop essential skills and enhance their employability. To address a prevalent concern, Vinod Kumar and Dr. Navneet Kour conducted counseling sessions to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction.

Dr. Navneet Kour passionately spoke about the campaign’s objective, stating, “Our aim is to bring students back to school and also provide them with skill training, making them financially sustainable.” The region currently suffers from an alarming 75 percent dropout rate, underscoring the urgency for education reforms and community outreach initiatives.

During the event, registrations were opened for those children who had dropped out of school, offering them a chance to complete their basic education and build a brighter future.

Recognizing the need to bring quality education to the doorsteps of children in these underserved areas, the NGO SUPPORT and POJK Displaced People Front have proposed the establishment of Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in these border regions. This initiative seeks to provide children with access to quality education, bridging the education gap and empowering them with a strong foundation for their future.

Vinod Kumar expressed his belief in the transformative power of educational outreach programs, stating, “Together, we can bring reforms in our society through educational outreach programs.”

The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 250 men, women, young boys, and girls actively participating and showing their support for this educational initiative led by NGO SUPPORT and POJK Displaced People Front.

Dr. Navneet Kour emphasized their collaborative approach, saying, “Through our education programs, we work in consultation and collaboration with government authorities at various levels, ensuring that children benefit from the government’s welfare schemes on education and skill-building.”

The program received the enthusiastic backing of prominent figures from various villages, including Swaran Singh, Rajinder Je, Manjit Kaur, Asha Devi, and several Sarpanchs and members of Panchayats, who all share a common vision of empowering the children of these rural areas.

Through their collective efforts, Dr. Navneet Kour and Vinod Kumar are striving to build a brighter and more promising future for the children of these border villages, fostering education, skill development, and a sense of community to uplift the lives of the marginalized and underserved in Jammu and Kashmir.