PEERZADA SAYEED KUPWARA, JUNE 3: In order to provide counseling and guidance to the students and parents of Kupwara district regarding their careers and admissions, Indian Army in collaboration with district administration Kupwara Saturday organized a mega education festival “Edu-Fest 2023” at Government Boys Higher Secondary school Handwara. Edu-Fest 2023 was organized to provide a platform for the students of North Kashmir to learn about various careers and admissions in different courses offered by leading colleges and universities across the country. Over 20 colleges from Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bangalore and Dehradun participated in the event and provided career counseling. The colleges also offered scholarships to deserving students. The scholarship will benefit the students who have cleared 12th class exams and are looking forward to higher education in different fields. The event generated tremendous enthusiasm and was appreciated by the residents of North Kashmir especially Kupwara district. Students from Handwara, Rajwar, Qaziabad, Rafiabad, Sopore and other parts of North Kashmir participated in the event. Hundreds of students participated in the educational Festival and availed career guidance. Students were excited to see a variety of career options. The Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Irfan Sultan Panditpori was the Chief Guest at the occasion while Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray was the Guest of Honor. Brigadier, 7 Sector, Brigadier Vikrant Patil, DDC Member Mawar, Khurshid Ahmad Dar, Chairman Handwara Municipality, Masroor Banday, Commanding officer (CO) 30 RR, Col. Ankur Panday, CEO Kupwara, A.H Fani, Principal Govt. Boys higher Secondary school Handwara, Mohd. Rafiq Mir, Heads of various Consultancies, and concerned officers and a large number of students and parents participated in the festival. Addressing the gathering, the Chairman DDC Council Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army and district administration Kupwara for conducting such a Mega student counseling festival in the district. He stressed for holding more such festivals so that students of this border district get benefitted. Chairman urged upon the student community to take advantage of this programme. The Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray in his address advised students to focus on choice, interest and personality while selecting courses and careers as it is the deciding phase of life for students. The Deputy Commissioner stressed upon the students to recognize interns of your choice and personality and adopt a mentor though it is your teacher or parent and try to follow them. “I have seen thousands of Kashmiri students pursuing different courses and careers in Pune, Delhi, Chandigarh, and other cities of the country. The Sky is the limit interns of selection of courses and there are no economic restrictions in education these days as there are limited takers for Scholarships, Educational loans and financial assistance” DC said . Terming the conduct of such a mega education festival as the first step towards success, the Deputy Commissioner said that right information at the right time is a prerequisite for achieving any success. He urged the students to take advantage of such avenues and decide their future goals according to their interest and attitude and wished them best of luck in the subjects and courses they choose. Brigadier Vikrant Patil while addressing the gathering passionately emphasized the importance of Edu-fest as a catalyst for shaping aspirations of young minds in Kashmir. This is the second time the Indian Army has organized Edu-fest. Earlier, the students were provided counseling and guidance by various subject matter specialists for choosing their subjects according to their merit.
