Aizawl, Nov 17 (NationPress) In an effort to promote national unity and foster a sense of harmony, the Assam Rifles has initiated a 13-day National Integration Tour for students hailing from three districts in Mizoram. This group, consisting of 20 students and two educators, was officially sent off on Monday by the Governor of Mizoram, General VK Singh (Retd), at the Raj Bhavan in Aizawl.

The Governor extended his heartfelt wishes to the 22-member National Integration Tour team from southern Mizoram, describing this journey as a golden opportunity for the students to gain significant educational exposure, invaluable life lessons, and opportunities for personal development.

He expressed particular joy at the tour beginning from the newly inaugurated Sairang railway station, which he termed a proud and historic milestone, assuring attendees that railway connectivity would soon extend to the southern districts as well.

General Singh (Retd) pointed out that visiting major cities across India would enable the young participants to witness the nation’s rich cultural diversity and heritage firsthand, thereby enhancing their understanding of the country.

He emphasized that the principle of 'Unity in Diversity' is fundamental to India’s strength and national integration, encouraging students to engage freely with individuals from various regions, learn from their customs, and return with broader perspectives that promote mutual respect and camaraderie.

The Governor advised participants to keep a daily diary throughout the tour, carefully noting their observations and experiences, ensuring that the significant lessons from this journey would remain in their memories for a lifetime.

During an official briefing at the Raj Bhavan circular lawn, the Officer In-Charge of the National Integration Tour provided detailed guidance regarding the itinerary and expected conduct from the participants. The Governor also presented official NIT-sponsored caps to the team members.

Brig Puspendar Sorayan, Deputy Inspector General at HQ, 23 Sector Assam Rifles, along with other senior officers of the Assam Rifles, were present at the event.

The National Integration Tour participants will travel from Mizoram to Guwahati and subsequently visit several culturally and historically significant sites including Amritsar and Delhi. They will also have the chance to explore selected military installations.

An official stated that the purpose of this tour is to provide students with a deeper appreciation of India’s diverse cultures, traditions, architecture, and lifestyles, thereby strengthening their sense of belonging and national pride. The itinerary indicates that the team is expected to conclude the tour and return to Mizoram on November 29, 2025.