Development touching war-hit J&K areas

By Shujaat Bukhari

KARGIL, AUG. 11. Notwithstanding the overwhelming response to Operation Sadbhavna launched by the 14 Corps from Turtuk to Matayen, doubts about its sustainability persist not only among the people but also in the Army and the civil administration.

The operation has brought about a discernible change in the war- hit areas of Turtuk, Kargil, Drass and the `undisturbed' Leh town. It is popular among the people and they look forward to similar projects. While a primary school has no matting or chairs, the Goodwill School set up by the Army has computers, a television and a music system. These schools also provide mid-day meals, a scheme which was launched by the State Government but which turned out to be a fiasco. Not only is the Army proud of its achievement but the people of these ignored areas are also satisfied with the programme. Whether it is a school, a vocational training centre or a hospital in Turtuk, Drass, Batalik or Kargil, the residents for the first time are witnessing well-planned development knocking at their doors.

But the biggest question being asked by everyone is about the sustainability of the operation. It is the brain child of the Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray, popularly known as `Corps Saheb' in these areas. Whether his successor can go ahead with the programme, will the pace be the same, whether the funds would be sufficient and other such questions remain unanswered.

Though the civil administration has its own reasons to question the sustainability, the people also have serious doubts about it. ``Till the last few months, everyone in the border areas was a suspect and none was ready to adopt the people. It is Gen. Ray's personal interest which has changed the situation,'' says a villager adding ``who knows what will happen after he is transferred''.

But the Army Chief, Gen. Padmanabhan's assurance to the people that ``Your Corps Saheb will continue here'' has raised their hopes.

A senior official in the district administration is doubtful whether the programme would continue. ``They should have strengthened our schools or hospitals by providing the latest equipment and it is not going to last long,'' he said.

However, an officer at the 14 Corps said there were no Government schools where the Sadbhavna schools had been set up. And in the next plan, seven Government schools would be upgraded.

Gen. Ray dismisses the apprehensions, saying that who ever replaced him had no other choice but to go ahead with the programme. Would the people allow him to abandon the projects, he asked, adding that 250 girls were attending the Kargil vocational centre. Screening was conducted with an assurance that those left out would be accommodated later.

Brig. Ashok Duggal, Commander of the Partapur-based brigade, said the entire process was institutionalised so that there would be no escape route.

Sources said the Chief of Army Staff was impressed with the success of the programme and that he would ensure that it continued.

Another important factor which the officers said could be of great help was the NGOs' involvement. Gen. Ray toured Bangalore and other places to woo NGO volunteers and secured the involvement of a nine-member team, Prakruthi, a Banglore-based NGO, in giving a new shape to the schools, hospitals and other projects.

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