Srinagar, July 18 (Vijay Kumar) – Kashmiri Children from remote areas of Kupwara district in North Kashmir, back from their two-week long visit to various places of historical and cultural importance in the country, met the Governor, N. N. Vohra, in Srinagar on Saturday, along with their teachers and the Army officers who had been with them on the tour.
The students, from class 4th to 8th, visited Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Jammu and Srinagar, met and interacted with various prominent personalities during their tour, which was organized by the Army’s Vajr Division, Kupwara. The tour, flagged-off from Kupwara on 6th July, will conclude tomorrow.
In Delhi, the visiting children called on the President of India,. Pratibha Patil. They interacted with her and had tea with her. They also went round Rashtrapati Bhavan and its Mughal Gardens. In the Union Capital, the students also visited historical landmarks like Red Fort, Jamia Masjid and Qutab Minar, besides Rajpath, India Gate, Palika Bazar and had a joyride in Delhi Metro.
In Lucknow, they called on the Uttar Pradesh Governor, T. V. Rajeshwar. They also watched light and sound programme at Lucknow Residency, besides visiting Jamia Masjid, Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara and zoo.
In Agra, the children went to Taj Mahal and Red Fort as also Fatehpur Sikri.
In Jammu, they visited Bagh-i-Bahu, Appu Ghar, Aquarium and Amar Mahal Museum. In Srinagar, the children visited world famous Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens.
Interacting with the children, the Governor enquired from them the places they had visited and the experiences they had gained during the tour. The touring students described their tour a lifetime opportunity, which had left an indelible impression on their minds. They said that they had the rich experience of visiting various historical places in the country and seeing for themselves its glorious pluralistic ethos. For majority of the students, it was their maiden visit to any place outside the Kashmir Valley. They thanked every one for organizing the visit.
The Governor asked these students to write a 500-word essay on their impressions about the tour and the places they had visited, announcing that the best three adjudged write-ups would be given prizes by him. He also presented gifts to the students and wished them a bright future.