At the heart of Operation Sadbhavana lies a deep commitment to education. The Army Goodwill Schools (AGS) network, comprising 45 schools across J&K and Ladakh, now educates nearly 15,000 students. In a region where militancy once crippled educational opportunities, these schools are emerging as beacons of learning and stability.

Remarkably, the AGS network reported a 100% pass rate in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 examinations in 2019. The impressive numbers have carried on. Success stories continue to emerge—like that of a student from Hamid Chara AGS, Chandigam, who scored 97% in Class XII, securing the 10th rank in the entire Union Territory.

The Army's Super-40 programme, designed on the lines of Bihar's renowned Super-30 initiative, has also delivered impressive results. In 2017, nine students from the batch cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced, earning coveted seats at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The same year, 28 out of 35 students cleared the JEE Mains, achieving an 80% success rate—a remarkable feat given the region's challenges.

Skill development forms another crucial pillar of the Army's outreach. Under Operation Sadbhavana, the Army runs over 80 community development centres, offering training in tailoring, information technology (IT), and entrepreneurship. These programmes aim to equip young people—especially women—with practical skills, enabling them to secure employment or start small businesses.

While official data on employment generation remains scarce, anecdotal evidence suggests that many trainees have gone on to establish local enterprises, contributing to self-reliance and economic stability in their communities.

For youth in J&K and Ladakh, sports have become a powerful medium of empowerment. In partnership with the government, the Indian Army has facilitated the establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres in J&K and three in Ladakh, nurturing sporting talent in archery, boxing, and athletics.

The State Centre of Excellence in Leh has emerged as a hub for high-performance training. At the same time, the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, currently underway, has drawn 594 participants from 19 teams, further embedding sports into the region's cultural fabric.

Additionally, the Army conducts over 100 cultural and educational tours annually, offering young people from the region a chance to explore India beyond their home states. These tours promote national integration and broaden the horizons of those who have long lived under the shadow of conflict.

In a bid to strengthen the civil-military connection, the Army recently launched Radio Baramulla 89.6 FM and Radio Uri 90.0 FM in June 2024. These community radio stations are doing more than just entertaining listeners; they are platforms for local talent, avenues for sharing government initiatives, and mediums for spreading messages of unity.
For many, these stations represent the voice of hope—a daily reminder of the changing narrative in a region long defined by discord.

Operation Sadbhavana's impact is clear: it has built trust between the Army and local communities, provided educational and employment opportunities, and given the region's youth a chance to dream beyond their circumstances.

Yet, the road ahead demands sustained focus. As infrastructure development continues—with new roads, bridges, and community centres—there is a growing emphasis on long-term self-reliance. The Army's efforts, aligned with broader national objectives, are designed to ensure that the youth of J&K and Ladakh become greater stakeholders in India's growth story.

In a region where the word "opportunity" once seemed distant, Operation Sadbhavana is not just a military outreach but a lifeline bridging aspirations with achievements. The Indian Army, often seen as the guardian of the nation's borders, also emerges as the architect of its future, shaping lives and empowering generations far beyond the battlefield. (IPA Service)