On 18th June 2007, we started for Baramulla in a BSF convoy under tight security and reached Baramulla BSF SHQ, Singpura, in around 3-4 hours. On the way, we saw army trying to toe a burnt passenger bus to the roadside. We were told that some people had burnt the bus after a child had come under it.

As we reached near the Baramulla SHQ, the road became hilly, rough and windy. Both sides were laid with apple trees.

Few hundred meters before the BSF SHQ, we passed a legendary Sikh Gurudwara. A day before staring our return journey from BSF Baramulla, we visited this holy place. Till date, fresh sweet cold water from this place quenches thirst of hundreds and thousands of people. It was good to see BSF jawans helping in ongoing construction work in this Gurudwara. In return, these BSF jawans at Baramulla get a daily supply of this holy water.

After reaching the BSF SHQ at Baramulla, we went to met the Adjutant, Neeraj Lakhan Pal. There was another Officer, A.K. Gurung, sitting there who was incharge of the BSF that was deployed in one of the high altitude areas on Line of Control. The sense of determination and patriotism was well evident on the face of these officers. We had a brief discussion with these officers regarding the reasons of stress amongst their jawans. Officers were very kind to show us some written records of the jawans. These records also had the details of the stress related history of jawans. The reasons of stress varied from one person to another.

The officers were very co-operative and helped us in getting a good idea of the existing problems that led to stress among jawans. To our surprise, the officers called a jawan who was under severe depression. We sat with him in a room for almost an hour and tried to counsel him. With Amma’s grace, when we finished, this Jawan seemed very positive. Some time back this Jawan had almost been on the verge of committing suicide. After talking to Him, we also gave him Amma’s pamphlet and invited him to come and meet Amma. While leaving, we consoled him, and hugged him as a gesture of our token of appreciation towards the real sons of Mother India.

Next morning, we started our 3 day IAM program in Baramulla. The program started from 19th June 2007 to 21st June 2007. On first day, we had around 80 jawans including the Respected DIG, Mr. R.K. Choudhary and the Adjutant, Mr. Neeraj Lakhan Pal. Due to ill health, respected DIG was not in position to do Yoga excercises. He had been up from long bed rest, just a few days back. But still he graced the occasion by sitting on a side chair and just meditating. That evening, we had around 90 Jawans and number kept increasing.

On First day evening, we also met the elderly mother of the DIG. We came to know that She still cherishes the moments when She had met Amma once in Delhi.

Next morning the strength was nearing 100. On 2nd day, in the evening we also showed Amma’s CD, by projecting it on big wall. Everyone was moved by it. We also distributed Amma’s pamphlets and photos. In the afternoon of the second day, the Adjutant was very kind to show us some of the pictures of people who are deployed in high altitude area and on LOC(Line Of Control) where no supply of any kind is possible for months together and harsh extreme conditions prevail.

Overall, the Jawans as well as officers were very happy to have been introduced to IAM Technique. They all appreciated the fact that inspite of being simple, IAM made them feel as if they have regained a lot of mental Strength. They seemed very positive about practicing IAM daily. Many of them thanked Amma for imparting IAM to them. Some of them even wanted us to talk to ministry so that once in a while Jawans can come to Ashram and learn the IAM fully and also get benifitted by Amma’s presence.

The trainers session continued third morning also in the final session, where the number of Jawans reached around 120. Respected Second in Command, Mr. Lokesh Kumar, graced the occasion for the closing ceremony. He was accompanied by Adjutant Neeraj Lakhan Pal. Both of them were quite dynamic and vibrant officers. They both sat on the stage with us and gave a beautiful speech on how to change our attitude positively towards life and its incidents. At the end, we presented Souveniers to these officers.

After that the IAM participation certificates were awarded to the selected trainers. Later in the day we sat with various officers including respected DIG, Adjutant and 2IC, to discuss various ways in which Jawans can reduce the stress.

On the morning of 22nd June 2007, the DIG was kind to extend the invitation for Holy Mata Kheer Bhawani Shrine, to us. Coincidently this shrine was near BSF SHQ Kupwara, which was or next stop.

Amit
23 June 07, Baramulla, Kashmir