Imphal, May 20 2009: General Officer Commanding of the Eastern Command Lt Gen VK Singh visited 'Disha' boys hostel in Leimakhong and interacted with the hostellers.

According to a PIB (DW) statement, the GOC currently on a visit to 57 Mountain Division and its units in Bishnupur and South Assam had along with GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen RK Loomba and GOC 57 Mountain Division Maj Gen Shakti Gurung visited the Hostel on May 19 during which 25 boys of the hostel mingled with the top ranking Army officers.

It is informed that the boys hostel had been established under 'Disha' project of the Red Shield Division to sustain the Army's endeavour in bringing young children of Manipur to the mainstream.

Terming Lt Gen VK Singh as 'father' of the Disha project, the PIB statement quoted the GOC as saying that focus of the Army is to expand the facility further to provide a sound base to the children of diverse ethnic origin in availing basic education in order to sow seed of overall development of the state and the nation.

The aim of the boys hostel project, besides serving as a home of hope, love, care and growth for the bright but under-privileged children, is to create a strong bond between the army and the local civilian population, the statement maintained.

After a night halt at Leimakhong, the Army Commander visited South Assam including NC Hills before leaving for Kolkata today, it added.

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