Itanagar, Jan 10: The Tezpur-based Gajraj Corps (IV Corps) of the Indian Army on Friday launched a spiritual tour for 22 senior villagers from the remote border districts of West Kameng and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Organized under Operation Sadbhavana and aligned with the Central Government’s Vibrant Villages Programme, this initiative seeks to promote border area development, cultural preservation, spiritual enlightenment, and national integration.
The tour represents a life-changing experience for the participants, including Gaon Burahs (village headmen), ex-servicemen, and local villagers from Jang and Dirang. For many, this journey marks their first venture beyond their secluded communities, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the nation’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, an official release said.
Their itinerary includes visits to some of India’s most iconic spiritual and historical landmarks. Beginning in New Delhi, the group will explore the World Buddhist Centre and Rashtrapati Bhavan before traveling to Dharamshala and McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh to visit the Kalachakra Temple and Dalai Lama Temple.
The journey will culminate in Bodh Gaya, where the participants will experience the spiritual significance of the Mahabodhi Temple and other sacred sites. Along the way, the group will also visit Tibetan monasteries and Buddhist temples, showcasing India’s rich spiritual diversity and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
This initiative underscores the Indian Army’s unwavering dedication to empowering and uplifting remote communities while strengthening the ideals of unity and national integration. By reconnecting border villagers with India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the Army reinforces its role as both a guardian of national security and a catalyst for socio-cultural integration, the release added.