GOC welcomes home NIT team
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2012: GOC Red Shield Division Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen exuded confidence that school children, who had been on a national integration tour to New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune, would contribute their mite in the overall development of Manipur.

Welcoming back the tour party, which comprised of students and teaching staff members of different educational institutions of Churachandpur district, the officer exhorted the students to translate the experiences gained during their fortnight long sojourn for the betterment of people of Manipur.

Lamenting that naturally blessed Manipur and glories brought by the State sportspersons, cultural artistes and litterateurs are being diluted due to various factors, including insurgency, the GOC iterated that the future of Manipur lies in the hands of the young students who need to excel in whatever field they choose.

Describing the tour-party students as the fortunate ones for what they have experienced by visiting places of historical importance, Binoy Poonnen wished that he had similar opportunities when he was young and eager to learn many things.

The GOC and officials pose with the school children

He also expressed confidence that the students would translate their experiences into useful activities for the betterment of the society and State's allround progress.

On behalf of the tour party, Miss Mary Biaklun shared her personal and her colleagues invaluable experience and conveyed gratitude to the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles for organising the tour programme under the aegis of Red Shield Division.

The tour organised with the aim of giving an exposure to the children of Manipur about the developments made by the country in the recent years and also to give them an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the country and an exposure to various facets of life, saw the 20 students, two teachers and two administrative staff visit NE Museum and War Memorial at Zakhama and War Cemetery at Kohima, on their way to the metropolitan cities of the country.

At Delhi the tour team reportedly visited India Gate, Red Fort, South Block, Qutab Minar, Rajghat, Akshardham Temple, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, Nehru Planetarium and Museum on February 9 and 10 .

The students also got an opportunity to interact with Director General (NCC) Lt Gen PS Bhalla, and were given an insight into the various facets of functioning of NCC.

Upon reaching Mumbai, the group visited the famous Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Taraporevala aquarium and Hanging gardens besides enjoying at the beaches of Bandra and Juhu.

They also visited one Naval War Ship and INS VIKRANT (Floating Museum).

Thereafter they moved to Pune and got an opportunity to visit the prestigious National Defence Academy.

The tour was flagged off on February 3 .