Pune: The city-based tri-service technological Military Institute of Technology (MILIT), Girinagar, has adopted Donje village, on the foothills of Sinhgad Fort, as part of its 3rd Raising Day celebrations.
On Sunday, MILIT officials launched ‘Jan Kalyan’ initiative and ‘Social Wellbeing Club’ in the village in the presence of villagers and renowned actor Vikram Gokhale. The village has about 4,000 permanent residents.
The commitments made to the village includes child counselling, training on how to join armed forces, assistance in health and education and implementation of government schemes (opening of Aadhaar card, bank account and make in Donje concept) as well as composite and waste management and firefighting support. A musical event was also organised at the village which was highly appreciated.
MILIT commandant Major General AK Sapra said, “We are very close to Donje and have a long association. Therefore, we have adopted the village for various developmental activities as per the need of the people here. People should not think that if they know us then we can get their near and dear ones in the armed forces. We will only help the youths in training which will be helpful to them at the time of recruitment tests.”
While addressing the officers and villagers, Gokhale said, “Like the armed forces, people should adopt discipline in their daily life. For them, defending the country is the only religion. And we can adopt this also. People should be wary of those who are trying to divide the country on caste and religions. Respect the soldier first and then the farmer.”
Pooja Navnath Parge, member of Pune Zilha Parishad (ZP), who was also present, said, “We will collaborate with the MILIT for better health and hygiene of the people and career guidance for youths.”
Earlier, MILIT officials organised various events from March 24 till April 1 as part of the celebrations starting with Barakhana for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)/ Other Ranks (ORs) at company lines. An Aqua Node Club was also launched. The motorboat, pedal boat and water scooter rides along with tambola and fun games, for officers and families were the major attraction of the event. The MILIT day memorial lecture on ‘Leadership and Probity’ was given by Lt Gen Vinod Vasisht, on March 26. The attendees included officers and ladies of the unit and special invitees from College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune.
A ‘Run for Fun’ event, on March 31, saw a huge participation from all genders and ages of the MILIT family.
