It was a classroom discussion at the Nivedita Vidya Peetham in Ramanatturakara that led to “Bharath Aahwan” — the three day cycle rally, organised recently in Kozhikode.
Army steps in
The students noted that the participation in reality shows is increasing day by day whereas the younger generation is losing interest in the armed forces. The school authorities thought about various ways to create awareness about the armed forces among students and finally contacted “Kannur Terriers”, the Territorial Army unit in Kannur.
Thus, for the first time in the history of the Territorial Army, even of the Indian Army, an awareness programme was organised in association with a school, outside the army camp. As for Nivedita Vidya Peetham, it became the first school in the country to organise such an event.
Seventy-two students of the school were chosen to participate in the rally which was carried out from Azhiyoor, which is on the border of Kannur and Kozhikode districts, to Ramanattukara, on the border of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, raising the slogan “Seema Chalo”. The students were accompanied by 10 NCC cadets and 10 Jawans of the Territorial Army.
The rally received tremendous response with schools on the route competing to offer it a reception. As planned, the rally was able to raise awareness about the defenders of the nation among children as well as the public.
Warm reception
An “Amar Jawan Jyothi” was also part of the rally which was flagged off by former Pondicherry Minister and Mahe MLA E.Valsaraj. At Ramanattukara, it received a warm reception by community elders and the public. The students went in a procession all the way from Feroke to Ramanattukara. Several celebrities took part in the reception organised at Ramanattukara.
As a continuation of the rally, the Territorial Army conducted day-long training in the use of arms for the students at the school the next day, which is another first in the army's history. Exhibitions and classes about the Army and its activities were also held on the occasion.
