50 schoolchildren from Jammu and Kashmir meet Rajnath

A group of 50 schoolchildren, including seven girls, from Jammu and Kashmir met Home Minister Rajnath Singh today after their tour to historical sites in the national capital, Agra and Jaipur.

The children, from Kathua district of the state, visited the sites under a youth exchange programme - 'Watan Ko Jano'. Today, they shared their experiences with the home minister and Union Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh.

The home minister expressed happiness that these children have visited various landmark and historical sites in the national capital and witnessed the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country, an official statement said.

 

Rajnath Singh said India has a rich cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and it has emerged as the world's largest secular democratic republic.

He said the unity in diversity is the unique value of the country and everyone must ensure the unity in the process of development.

The home minister urged the children to share their experiences with their friends and relatives back home and spread the message of peace and goodwill.

Speaking on the occasion, Jitendra Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned Kathua on two occasions in his monthly 'Maan ki Baat' radio address about the remarkable strides made towards development in the district - first with reference to 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme and then with reference to 'Swachh Bharat Mission'.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organising the programme 'Watan Ko Jano' to give the youths and children of Jammu and Kashmir exposure to cultural and socio-economic development taking place in other parts of the country.

Youth and children hit by militancy and from weaker sections of the society have been identified for the purpose, the statement said.

The government has planned to sponsor around 6,000 children for tours of various cities across the country under this programme, the statement said.