Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM) at Gulmarg in north Kashmir completed its first winter course today in which 80 students from various parts of the country participated.
Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg, Shafqat Iqbal, Development Authority was the chief guest on this occasion who gave away the certificates and medals to the winners of various events. Principal IISM, JS Dhillon welcomed the chief guest and briefed him about the various activities being undertaken by the Institute.
He said due to lack of snow in the beginning, it seemed difficult to achieve the objective of snow skiing course. “Hence the students were put on trekking trails till natures blessing of heavy snowfall occurred. 24 girls from the Presentation Convent of Srinagar also participated in the course. Many students were from Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai,” he said.
The principal said IISM will be conducting 5 more skiing courses which have already been booked by students. “IISM is very popular Institute of the India and plays a very vital role to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The main aim of these courses is to develop a skill of skiing and generate employment opportunities for the youth who want to engage in adventure tourism.
“These courses also help to develop the personality of the participants through their exposure to challenging situations,” he said, adding that IISM is a symbol of National Integration where students from different parts of the country interact with students of Kashmir and understand their culture, ethos and rich values of hospitality.
Chief Guest, Shafqat Iqbal praised the institute for maintaining an excellent standard of training and hospitality. He said IISM is a pioneer institute of the country which provides state of the art adventure training with modern facilities. He said that Kashmir is the most beautiful place on the earth and students after completing this course should become our ambassadors to tell their families and friends to visit Gulmarg and enjoy this paradise.
He said there is a misconception and fear created by certain vested interest in the mind of the people to not visit Kashmir. He asked the students to neutralize this fear by spreading the truth which they experienced during this course. He asked the students to work hard to achieve their objectives of life as nobody recognizes you unless you achieve success.
Many renowned institutes such as DPS, Lawrence School, BIS and Scindia School are subscribing for skiing courses of the IISM. “Courses are highly subsidized to promote the sports of skiing and Institute provides best administration in a centrally heated building under a very competent staff working round the clock in the Institute,” a statement issued here said.
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