Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 25: Twenty schoolgirls from Baramulla’s Pattan are heading to Pune on an Indian Army educational tour. The nine-day programme offers educational and cultural exposure. For many, it is their first trip beyond Kashmir.
A Classroom Beyond Kashmir
Twenty girls from Pattan, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, are travelling to Pune. The Indian Army has organised the trip as a Capacity Building and Educational Tour. It runs from September 25 to October 3.
For many of the students, it marks their first journey outside Kashmir. The purpose is educational, with learning planned beyond the classroom.
Nine Days of Educational Exposure
The educational tour spans nine days. Its design centres on capacity building rather than simple sightseeing. The trip combines education with first-hand exposure to another region.
Organisers want students to gain educational and cultural exposure during the visit. The programme also seeks to widen understanding of India’s cultural diversity. These are stated aims, not measured results.
First Journey Outside Kashmir for Many
Ahead of departure, the students spoke about the trip as a group. They said they were happy to travel outside Kashmir. Many of them are making such a journey for the first time.
The girls thanked the Indian Army for arranging the tour. They said they hoped similar tours would be organised again.
The students also described what they expect to gain. They look forward to seeing new places and meeting new people. They hope to learn from experiences outside their region.
Pune Offers a Different Learning Environment
Pune presents a different setting from the one the students know. They will encounter another urban environment and a new educational setting. The city also offers a different cultural backdrop.
For students from Pattan, that shift is itself part of the lesson. Specific institutions or sites on the itinerary have not been detailed.
Capacity Building Beyond Classrooms
The programme sets out four core objectives. These are capacity building, confidence, educational exposure and personality development. Each objective focuses on the individual student’s growth.
Together, they aim to empower girls through experience rather than instruction alone. The approach treats travel as a complement to school study. Whether the tour meets those goals will emerge only over time.
Wider Student Outreach in Jammu and Kashmir
The Pattan trip sits within a wider pattern of outreach. The Indian Army has organised several educational and capacity-building initiatives before. These have involved students from Jammu and Kashmir.
Such programmes have offered exposure to educational institutions in other parts of India. They have also introduced students to professional avenues and cultural experiences.
Learning Beyond the Familiar
For the 20 Baramulla students, the coming days offer a change of setting. They will spend nine days in unfamiliar surroundings. The tour gives them room to observe and compare new experiences. The educational tour concludes on October 3.
