Srinagar, Aug 09 (KNS): As part of inculcating self-discipline and witness & learn Nature’s beauty & its preservation by scholars of BAITUL HILAL, Srinagar, the three day Camping cum Trekking Expedition organised by J&K Yateem Foundation (JKYF) concluded at Peer Baba at Gurez-Bandipora Road in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Sunday.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson said that a batch of 25 scholars from BAITUL HILAL, Jawahar Nagar Srinagar participated in the 03 day expedition, that began on Friday August 06 .
“The expedition was flagged off by ADDC Bandipora Ali Afsar Khan at Aathwatoo in Bandipora,” reads that statement.
Besides, Khursheed Anwar Nadvi, Head priest Jamia Masjid Bandipora, renowned scholar Dr Maroof Shah; Dr Altaf Hussain Malik, Associate Professor GDC, & Abdul Rahim Lone ZEO Quil & scores of JKYF volunteers were also present on the occasion.
The expedition was primarily aimed at doing away with monotony & boredom of students and to regenerate their enthusiasm and rejuvenate mental and emotional health who have remained restricted in the back to back COVID-19 lockdowns since March 2020.
Earlier, JKYF volunteers received the Scholars Group at Nishat Park Bandipora on Friday evening, wherefrom it took off to the scenic hill station Aathwatoo, the Base Camp for the three-day expedition.
At the base camp, the students interacted with well-known dignitaries of Bandipora which included religious scholars, doctors, philosophers and officials from the district administration, health and education departments.
Dr Mohammad Marouf Shah, Senior Consultant Dr Parvaiz Sajad, including the central team of JKYF besides other dignitaries interacted in a free & fair atmosphere that encouraged and enthused the students to have lively one on one communication with the guest dignitaries.
Dr Marouf urged upon the students to develop habit of book reading to excel in the life.
Narrating his own student life experiences, Dr Parvaiz Sajad advised students to act upon the directions of their guardians for a successful life.
Dr Altaf Hussain Malik complimented J&K Yateem Foundation for undertaking commendable job in the social service sector. He appreciated the efforts of JKYF both in curricular & extra-curricular activities that helps in the comprehensive personality development of the students
Khursheed Anwar Nadvi enjoined upon the students to work hard to acquire knowledge in all fields of academics. He commended the role and practical contribution of JKYF and its volunteers for organising such fruitful programmes for these students.
ADDC Bandipora Afsar Ali Khan expressed his heartfelt happiness to be part of flagging off ceremony of the trekking expedition. He described participation as a good deed and small contribution towards a noble event.
EX JKYF Chairman & Senior volunteer Mohammad Rafiq Lone thanked all the dignitaries for their participation in the event.
After flagging off at 9 a.m. the group left for an early uphill trek to remote Vewan village. The students were led by two young physical education teacher Mudassir Ahmad and Manzoor Ahmad nominated by District officer Youth Services and Sports.
Many volunteers and donors accompanied the students including Secretary Finance/Genneral Secretary JKYF Dr Tariq Ahmad Malik, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Programme Eexecutive BAITUL HILAL Jawahar Nagar, Khursheed Anwar Nadvi, Dr Altaf Hussain Malik, Dr Marouf Shah, Mohammad Rafiq Lone, Javaid Jawad, Programme Executive Press & PR Division, JKYF & Ab Rasheed Dulloo Chartered Accountant.
The students took the lead with utmost enthusiasm, taking note of places they passed by and exploring the untamed wilderness of the forest passes cutting to the village.
At Vewan Point the students were warmly received by the staff members of High School Vewan. They had arranged a grand feast for the students.
On the way back, the group especially students were delighted with the scenic forests and the freshwater streams passing along the way- including famed Madhumati and Sangam Nullahs which finally merge and discharge into the Wular Lake.
In the evening at Aathwattoo, the students interacted with a guest Satish Shukla, Managing Director Multicraft Digital Technologies. Mr Shukla briefed students about the future of online education.
In the Sunday afternoon, the students left for shrine of Peer Baba and Tragbal near Razdan Top on the Bandipora Gurez Road.
Local contributors supplemented the efforts of the JKYF in making this expedition a successful one. Two donors sponsored all the expenses incurred on organizing this expedition.Though JKYF unit Bandipora volunteers had made all the arrangements through their own contributions.
Chairman J&K Yateem Foundation Mohammad Ahsan Rather expressed his gratitude to District Administration, Department of Youth Services and Sports, Department of Education, Health and Tourism for their great support to make the event a successful and memorable for the scholars of BAITUL HILAL, Srinagar who are studying in various English medium schools and government higher secondary schools in Srinagar. He also lauded JKYF volunteers of district unit Bandipora for making commendable arrangements for the event including traditional Samovar Tea & Makki Di Roti. (KNS)