HT Correspondent
PASIGHAT, July 14: In a fresh push to strengthen civil-military relations and bolster local infrastructure in border areas, the Indian Army on Monday dedicated an open-air gymnasium to the residents of Namsing village in East Siang district’s Ruksin Sub-Division.
The gym has been built under Operation Sadbhavna, the Army’s long-running civic action programme aimed at improving the quality of life in remote and border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
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According to an official statement, the Open Gym was formally inaugurated during a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, village elders, students, and both serving and retired Army personnel.
The event was marked not just by applause for the new fitness facility, but by the evident sense of community participation and shared purpose.
The Indian Army said the project reflects its continued commitment to holistic development and inclusive growth in the region.
“The combined efforts of serving and retired personnel have been instrumental in transforming Namsing into one of the most progressive and prosperous villages in the area,” the statement noted.
Project Sadbhavna, under which the initiative was undertaken, is a flagship outreach programme of the Indian Army.
It spans a wide array of developmental activities, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and skill-building—especially in India’s border regions, where civilian-military trust plays a critical role in national security and integration.
The newly established gymnasium is envisioned as more than a health facility.
Officials described it as a “social space” intended to inspire healthy lifestyles while also strengthening social ties among villagers across age groups.
Residents hope that the gym will particularly benefit the younger population, many of whom lack access to formal fitness infrastructure.
In line with the inauguration, the Army also conducted a tree plantation drive, drawing enthusiastic participation from villagers, schoolchildren, and soldiers alike.
The green initiative was symbolic of the broader goals of Operation Sadbhavna—which include not just physical infrastructure but environmental and social wellbeing.
Over the years, the Army’s Sadbhavna initiatives in the region have included free medical camps, scholarships for students, and construction of civic amenities, all of which have been warmly received by the local population.
Villagers expressed deep gratitude for the Indian Army’s sustained presence and support, crediting these interventions with notable improvements in quality of life.
“The dedication of the Open Gym is a reaffirmation of the Indian Army’s resolve to remain a partner in progress for the people of Arunachal Pradesh,” the statement added. “It reflects the enduring spirit of cooperation, resilience and shared aspiration that binds the armed forces and the citizens of India’s frontier regions.”
