A new chapter was added to the saga of Army -civil amity in Uri Sector, Jammu and Kashmir when Brig RK Sharma, Commander Kala Pahar Brigade, inaugurated the Community Development Centre (CDC) sponsored by the Army Development Group in Kamalkote in October, this year. This CDC has been constructed a cost of Rs 15 lakh under the aegis of 16 Maratha Light Infantry. The project has become a model. It was a joint effort by 16 Maratha LI and 370 Field Company of 101 Engineer Regiment. The project was completed in a record time of six months.

Kamalkote is a desolate group of villages on the Line of Control in Uri Tehsil and it was no mean feat to ferry heavy and cumbersome load required for construction all the way from the roadhead to the construction site. This was made possible only by grit and determination of the jawans of 16 Maratha LI and the voluntary participation of the villagers. The spirit of Army-civilian co-operation indicated the extent of goodwill generated by the battalion.

CDC boasts of modem medical and veterinary facilities and a recreation- cum-vocational training hall with two colour TV sets and a dish antenna. There is a well-stocked library and facilities for games like cricket, volley ball, carrom and chess. To enable the poor families to supplement their income, two sewing machines have been placed to train women under a lady instructor. To fire the imagination of the youth and to give them a fair start in the information technology race, 16 Maratha LI has made a humble beginning by installing a computer with an instructor to run coaching classes daily.

A long languishing project- construction of Uri-Kamalkote road was expeditiously completed by the battalion. The effort involved a close liaision with civil administration marshalling public opinion against certain vested interests and utili sing engineering resources. Through persuasion, dogged determination and close co-operation with civilian population, this long drawn dream of the civilians was realised. Now people living even in remote villages are only a few hours away from the roadhead. The maturity, understanding and tact displayed by the troops have endeared the Army to the civilian population. Public opinion reigned supreme ensuring that a previously militant infested area remained incident-free throughout the tenure of the battalion.