Pattan, Baramulla, September 24: For 20 schoolgirls from Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the journey from Kashmir to Pune is more than an educational tour—it is a first step into a world beyond the familiar mountains and valleys of home.
The Indian Army has organised a Capacity Building and Educational Tour from Kashmir to Pune from September 25 to October 3, giving the students an opportunity to travel outside Jammu and Kashmir, experience a different social and cultural environment and broaden their educational horizons.
For many of the girls, the journey will mark their first visit outside Kashmir, turning what might otherwise be an ordinary school experience into a deeply personal milestone.
“We are very happy that we are travelling outside Kashmir for the first time. We hope the Indian Army will organise such tours again and again,” the students said, expressing their excitement ahead of their departure.
The students also thanked the Indian Army for creating the opportunity and supporting an initiative that they said would allow them to learn beyond the classroom.
“We are extremely grateful to the Indian Army for organising this tour for us. It will give us an opportunity to see new places, meet new people and learn from experiences outside our region,” they said.
The tour is intended to promote capacity building, confidence, educational exposure and personality development, while enabling the students to gain a wider understanding of India’s cultural and educational diversity.
For young students growing up in Kashmir, opportunities to travel to distant parts of the country can offer lessons that cannot always be found in textbooks. Exposure to new cities, institutions, traditions and people can help build confidence and encourage students to imagine possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings.
The Indian Army has, through various outreach and capacity-building programmes, facilitated educational and exposure visits for students from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Such initiatives seek to connect young people with wider educational, cultural and professional opportunities across the country.
As the 20 girls prepare to leave Pattan for Pune, their excitement reflects more than the anticipation of a journey. For them, it is a chance to step beyond the boundaries of the Valley, discover a different India and return home with experiences that could remain with them for years to come.
