A group of 14 differently abled children from the remote area of Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (May 3, 2013).
Speaking on the occasion, the President stated that the initiative would help instill in those children a feeling of integration with the rest of the country. He advised the children that on returning back to Banihal, they should share their experiences with the people there. Further, he said that they should spread the message of peace, goodwill and of making united efforts for the progress and development of the nation.
Addressing the children, the President said that he would like this experience to instill in them a strong desire to be a part of the national effort – to strive for high goals, and contribute to the development of the different regions of our country. He said that although the different regions of the country may seem to be vastly separated by their different cultures and traditions yet we are all bound by our shared history and our common future.
The children are in Delhi on an educational cum motivational tour as part of Operation Sadbhavana organized by CI Force (Delta).
This release issued at 1830 hrs