By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

NARMADAPURAM: The Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha has called for making a 15-day preliminary military training programme mandatory in schools across the country, saying it would help foster discipline, patriotism, character building, civic responsibility and national unity among students.

The demand was raised at the 19th National Convention of the Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha, held at the MCEME Auditorium of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering in Secunderabad, Telangana, in the context of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, who attended the convention as chief guest, said the vision of a developed India would remain incomplete without the contribution of the nation’s soldiers. He also assured his support for the Sanstha’s initiatives relating to nation-building, discipline and patriotism.

Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha National President Veer Chakra Colonel Tejendra Pal Tyagi said the organisation had prepared a complete curriculum and lesson plan for the proposed 15-day preliminary military training. According to him, pilot programmes have already been conducted in Muzaffarnagar, Jabalpur and Ghaziabad.

The convention also saw representatives from various states being felicitated for their work promoting patriotism. Speakers including Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni, Air Marshal Rahul Bhasin, Prof G. Neelam Pawar and Major General Ashok Bedi addressed the gathering.

Around 400 delegates from different states participated in the convention and collectively pledged to say “Jai Hind” and take part in events promoting patriotism.

Representing the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha were State Patron and Guide Colonel M.K. Tyagi, Youth Wing District President Priyanshu Dharse, Narmadapuram, and other representatives.