Army keeps spirits high in Kashmir, awaam says thank you

<p style="font-weight: 400;">Chest bumps, hugs and high-fives, the mood at Gund Hanjik village in Budgam was simply electric Friday night. Every move made by the Kashmiri youth was cheered by the Indian paramilitary troopers and each heartwarming gesture of the soldiers was applauded by the locals. The day-night final of the Awaami volleyball tournament was a huge hit as the valley youth got a brilliant opportunity to showcase the talent and residents of the nearby villages a chance to watch some exciting live sporting action in these times of Covid-19.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Team Hajibagh romped home winners amid a joyous, carnival-like atmosphere. All the players were felicitated by senior officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the post-match presentation ceremony. They thanked the security personnel not only for guarding them day and night but for also fostering a sporting culture amongst the locals.</p>
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">Such scenes of bonhomie and mutual respect however aren't rare in Jammu and Kashmir where youth is in news mostly for the wrong reasons.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">From organizing run for fun events in various districts to holding football tournaments with an aim to spot the local talent, the security forces have always been able to establish an extensive connect with the locals of the valley.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier this week, the Indian Army began a mega sports festival while strictly following the Covid guidelines.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">"Sports Festival 2020 is unique in many ways and such tournaments were never conducted in the valley earlier. Keeping Covid-19 guidelines in mind, various events of Sports Festival 2020 will be held on different grounds and on different days. Like today, the 3000m and 1500m run was conducted at Kunzer ground," reported Kashmir News Service Wednesday.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianArmy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianArmy</a> ?? organized Mega Sports festival at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tangmarg?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tangmarg</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kashmir</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuandKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuandKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/CsdY6Q4hns">pic.twitter.com/CsdY6Q4hns</a></p>
— Waseem khan (@vasimkhan786_) <a href="https://twitter.com/vasimkhan786_/status/1278637322481700864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">"In true sense the Army has shown where there is will, there is a way. Awaam of the area is extremely happy and the event has boosted the moral of every one," the report added.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">As normalcy returns to Kashmir after decades, the awaam will certainly continue to remain happy in future too.</p>.