KISHTWAR, APRIL 08: The Department of School Education today kick-started a three-day District-Level Awareness Programme here in the district, focusing on road safety, social awareness, environmental protection, mental health, drug de-addiction and career guidance.
The 03 Day Divisional Level Awareness programme was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah at Jammu.
The district-level programme was held here at the Government Degree College (GDC). Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma attended the event as the Chief Guest.
The DC was warmly received by the CEO Sanjay Dogra and other officers and staff of the School Education Department.
The DC kick-started the programme with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp along with other dignitaries. He also interacted virtually with the Minister for School Education, Higher Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare Department, UT of J&K Sakeena Itoo.
Highlighting the district’s achievements, the Deputy Commissioner stated that out of 869 schools (Both Government and Private Schools), a mega plantation drive was conducted across all educational institutions, during which 2,000 saplings were planted in a single day.
He further expressed confidence that the district would achieve its target of planting 20,000 saplings within the given time period.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that the awareness programme is structured around five major verticals—mental health, traffic awareness, career counseling, environmental management and drug de-addiction.
He noted that all key stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents and the wider community, are actively involved in the initiative.
He further elaborated that the 03 Day Awareness Programme is based on three core components: technical sessions led by experts; student engagement activities such as painting, debate and quiz competitions; and public outreach programmes.
These efforts aim to ensure awareness at every level, particularly reaching villages and panchayats through school-based initiatives.
The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted the broader vision of planting one sapling for each student in the district, with a target of covering around 55,000 students in a phased manner.
On the occasion, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Kishtwar distributed road safety IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material among participants to promote awareness of safe road practices.
The three-day programme is expected to play a significant role in spreading awareness and empowering students and the community across Kishtwar district.
At GDC Kishtwar, the programme was attended by ADDC Vinod Kumar Behnal; DSWO Tariq Parveaz Qazi; ARTO Tasleem Wani; DFO Mahesh Thakur; CEO Sanjay Dogra; Principal GDC Kishtwar Basharat Iqbal; Dy. CEO, BMO; besides other officers from the civil administration, Police and Traffic Police Department.