“Gar firdaus, bar ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto.”
Educational tours are critical to bring up complete knowledge and character among the students as they explore the new environment to understand the culture and get with their peers better. Keeping the same idea in mind, an excursion was undertaken by the Government Girls Middle School Boniyar to the mesmerizing places of Kokernag, Verinag, and Achabal Mughal Gardens in Anantnag District. This turned out to be quite kaleidoscopic in one of the most beautiful places in Kashmir not only a break in the routine but an enriching, educative experience. The students communicated their experiences with history, nature, and their peers so well.
The Beginning of the Journey: Enthusiasm and Excitement.
On the day of the excursion, early in the morning, the students began to assemble, with anticipation about what lay ahead of them. The drive from Boniyar onwards to Anantnag proved to be a tour through the sceneries of the Kashmir Valley. The more the bus curved upwards on the serpentine roads, the more gripping it was for the students. Undivided green meadows sported tall pine trees and snow-capped peaks dotting the horizon. The journey itself was a lesson in geography and nature as the teachers pointed out significant landmarks and explained to them the natural features of the area.
Snacks shared, songs sung, and a general eagerness to see what was in store for them at the different destinations-the perfect beginning of togetherness and shared joy for a day that held so much in store.
Kokernag: Bounty of Nature and Learning.
The first halt of the educational tour was Kokernag, the seat of natural springs and fresh green gardens. On arrival, the students were eyed with a series of well-maintained lawns with brilliant flowers in shades of different hues and crystal clear streams running in the gardens. Kokernag with a dash of nature’s beauty combined with tranquility promised an ideal environment for the students to distress themselves and be associated with nature.
The ecological importance of Kokernag was explained to the students by teachers. The students were made to understand how the springs in Kokernag function as a main water source in that area, whereby the local flora and fauna need this water to survive. They also explained that there are a lot of plant species in various ranges, and there is a fishery where trout is bred. Observation of fish in their natural setting provided hands-on experience that triggered a very lively discussion about aquatic life, as well as the preservation of water resources.
The walk in the gardens proved too tempting to resist for students to capture the beauty of Kokernag in their notebooks and cameras. Some made sketches of the landscapes, and others penned thoughts and reflections. This act of creative expression added yet another touch to their learning experience as they were engaging themselves with the environment on a personal level.
Verinag: A Historical and Geographical Marvel.
The delightful morning at Kokernag, the group moved to Verinag-a place of great historical and geographical significance. Actually, Verinag is the origin of the Jhelum River, having a Mughal-era garden and spring testifying to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Symmetrical design of the garden with chinar trees and an octagonal-shaped spring in the middle enticed the architectural beauty and left the students spellbound.
Students were also curious to know the geographical importance of Verinag, the origin of Jhelum River. They were interested in knowing engineering wonders of the Mughal period of how water from the spring was channeled into the river. In fact, visiting Verinag had combined history with science whereby the students would go around exploring the meeting point between natural geography and human ingenuity.
Achabal Mughal Gardens: A Glimpse into Royal Leisure.
We finally reached Achabal Mughal Gardens-the other beautiful example of Mughal garden architecture. As the students stepped inside the gardens, the sound of water from the cascading fountains greeted them, the fragrance of flowers in bloom welcomed them, and the terraced lawns stretching as far as one’s eyes could travel. The beauty of Achabal Gardens brought the students right back to the time of the Mughal emperors and into the grandeur and elegance of an era gone by.
They were taken by the teachers through different sections of the garden and were shown the essence of Mughal garden design. In fact, students became enchanted with intricate waterworks that symbolized the Islamic tradition of a paradise. The layout of the gardens with their carefully planned terraces and pavilions gave an idea about the love the Mughals had for symmetry, order, and beauty.
While the students were doing the round of Achabal, their minds just wandered into the living of a life of royalty and strolls through these gardens. A visit to Achabal made the students relate to history in a realistic way, as they walked on those paths and saw the views seen by the Mughal emperors and queens who entered these gardens.
Interaction with Other School Children: Building Friendships and Sharing Experiences.
The best moments of this excursion were to meet other students coming from other schools to see these historical places. Such interactions have indeed been truly invaluable as the students got to share experiences, discussions over what they learned, and gained new friends. The sharing of ideas and knowledge with peers coming from diverse walks of life further enriched the experience of this excursion.
They discussed their schools, places they had gone to, and their future goals. This widened their horizons and created a bond among the students from different parts of the region. The relationships built on this excursion are likely to transcend this day into a long spell of cooperation and unity in their hearts.
Lunch Time: A Memorable Experience of Sharing and Togetherness.
Lunch was one of the most waited part of the day because, besides eating, it gave an opportunity to all the children, along with the teachers and other staff, to get together and rest. Under the shades of the chinar trees, the students sat down, lunch packs spread out in front of them, and shared lunch with each other. Sharing of meals brings a sense of unity amongst students, hence leading to the reinforcement of values on sharing and caring.
Scenic surroundings even made the lunch a more enjoyable experience. The natural beauty of the gardens lay all around the students as they sat upon the grass and enjoyed their food. A cool breeze, ripples of water, and flowers in bloom combined to provide a perfect setting for a relaxed, joyful meal. This was the time to relive the experiences of the day, to share them with companions and just bask in the moment.
The day’s excursion to Kokernag, Verinag, and Achabal Mughal Gardens turned out to be a grand success. It was lifetime exposure for the students of Government Girls Middle School Boniyar to learn out of the four walls of their classrooms about the rich history and natural beauty of their region, thus keeping lifelong memories among their friends. The students went back home with pride, having viewed the wonders of nature, the grandeur of history, and also the joy of companionship. This excursion will surely remain a sweet memory for participants by enriching their appreciation of the surrounding world.
(Writer is a Columnist and a Teacher By Profession and Can be Contacted on mukhtar.qur@gmail.com )