Central Bureau of Communication concludes its 3 day Outreach Campaign at Rajouri

Empowerment of society starts with awareness; Information a powerful tool for social upliftment: SSP  

RAJOURI, December 22: The 3 day outreach program namely medium (Integrated Communication & Outreach Programme) ICOP organised by the Central Bureau of Communication(CBC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India  concluded today at Rajouri.

The programme aimed to create mass awareness about the Prime Minister’s 15 point programme for minorities under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), was organised by CBC’s Field Office Rajouri at PG Degree College Rajouri.

This was the first program of its kind at the district headquarters in which comprehensive mass awareness about various schemes and welfare measures being implemented throughout the country was created. Apart from this, information about the objectives and vision of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was also provided to participants which included the new initiatives of Swaraj Television Series and Azadi Quest Mobile Games.

The information about these initiatives was provided by means of standees, printed Information Education and Communication (IEC) material, pamphlets, brochures, group discussions, face to face communication as well as using traditional performing arts and on spot quiz system.

SSP Rajouri, Mohammad Aslam was the chief guest on the occasion & Joint Director CBC Jammu presided over the function.

In his address, the Chief Guest appreciated CBC for organising the outreach programmes in the district especially in the campus of Degree College to cater to the young population. He said that in the present age, information is a very powerful tool for empowering masses and there is a need to reach out to the people living in the rural areas.

He impressed upon the people to avail benefits of different welfare programs being implemented across various sectors by Government of India as well as JK administration. He mentioned various subsidy schemes being run by the local administration for the benefit of the people and informed that a scheme to provide assistance to patients for treatment under Ayushman Bharat is very successful.

A large number of people including Anganwadi workers, students and local people participated in the program and got benefitted from the schemes projected through various means.

Santosh Sukhadeve, Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, in his address said that the aim of the outreach programs was to communicate with the last person in the last village in order to ensure development at the grassroots level. He informed that apart from Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), LAHDC, Kargil and district administration run various schemes for the people, making a special mention of laptop subsidy scheme for the students. He urged students to avail benefits of various scholarship and skill development programs and advised them to use social media judiciously.

Welcoming the guests, Ghulam Abass, Joint Director, CBC, Regional Office, Jammu said that the onus to avail benefits of the government schemes lies with the citizens. He said that a joint effort by the policy makers, communicators, citizens as well as those responsible for the implementation at the ground level is needed to ensure the welfare schemes serve the intended purposes.

He said under PMs 15 point programme for minorities, special attention is given to the states and UTs where a substantial minority population is present.  He further said that Governments of India has various schemes for and individual which one can avail right from pre-natal stage to death. He expressed gratitude towards district Administration and College Authorities for their cooperation and support.

He advised the students to avail benefits of Govt. schemes and earn besides studies to become Atamnirbhar (self relient). He urged the students to spread the message up to their respective areas.

Others who spoke on the occasion among others included Prof Shamim Ahmad Azad, Principal GDC Rajouri; Dr Ghulam Rasool Dar, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer; Dr Yassir Chouhan, Technical Officer Sheep Husbandry; Vikran Sharma resource person education department and Issrar Bukhar, CDPO Manjakote.

Vijay Mattoo I/c FPO Poonch conducted the proceedings, while Sunil Kumar I/c FPO Rajouri conducted open quiz competition.

Theme based cultural programme was presented by cultural parties sending across messages about various welfare schemes as well as displaying the amazing local culture. Students also displayed their talent through songs, speeches and dance performances.