Students from Jammu and Kashmir on study tour to Bangalore

A group of 25 college students from Jammu and Kashmir's border Rajouri and Poonch districts arrived here Monday with their teachers for a firsthand account of the technological advances made in the Karnataka capital.

"The students from colleges in the two border districts of the northern state, who are on a study tour across the country, have visited the campus of Infosys Ltd in the electronics city, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to know developments in science and technology," an official said.

The study tour, organised by the 38 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian army, gave an opportunity for the students to travel outside their native state for the first time.

"It is a rare opportunity for us to see these global organisations in our country and learn about their achievements," said Umer Farooq, one of the students from a remote village in Rajouri district.

A defence spokesman said the countrywide trip was aimed at instilling a sense of awareness on national integration among the students for greater unity in diversity.

"The students interacted with Major Gen. A.K. Singh, general officer commanding of the Karnataka and Kerala sub area at our local army headquarters in the city," the spokesman said.

The group also met Indian legendary bowlers Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath at the Chinnaswamy stadium in the city centre.

The group will be visiting the renowned Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium and the Visvesaraya industrial museum in the city Tuesday.