School magazine captures educational, cultural, geographical and socio-economic landscape of Gulmarg region
By: Ahmad Kashmiri
KUNZER: Government Model Higher Secondary School Kunzer celebrated its Annual Day, ‘Dastak 2026’, with a programme featuring education, literature, culture, science, tourism, hospitality and community participation.
The occasion also witnessed the release of the school’s annual magazine, “Parwaz – The Flight of Dreams”, and the inauguration of the Shahid Farooq Memorial Garden, established in memory of a student who recently lost his life in a tragic road accident.
The programme was attended by the Chief Guest, MLA Gulmarg, along with senior education officers, public representatives, officers from different departments, local dignitaries, parents, teachers and students.
‘Parwaz’ presents a window into the region
A major feature of the event was the release of Parwaz – The Flight of Dreams, a publication that goes beyond the conventional format of a school magazine.
The publication brings together student creativity, literary expression and educational reflections, along with articles examining the geographical, environmental, cultural and socio-economic dimensions of the Gulmarg-Tangmarg region.
The magazine explores themes connected with mountains, meadows, forests, agriculture, water resources, tourism, local livelihoods and the changing economic landscape of the area.
Articles dealing with Tangmarg’s transition from traditional agricultural landscapes towards fruit cultivation, the Nallah Ferozpora and its living network, the scientific wealth of the region, and the mountain world around Gulmarg reflect an attempt to connect classroom learning with the immediate geographical environment.
In this sense, Parwaz serves not only as a record of student writing but also as a documentary window into the region in which the school is situated.
Focus on educational and intellectual development
The publication also gives considerable space to the educational and intellectual development of students.
Its contents include reflections on self-confidence, dreams, leadership, faith, relationships, environmental awareness, technology, smoking, career possibilities and experiences of school life.
Student contributions from different streams, including Medical, Humanities, Arts and Science, reflect the diversity of interests within the institution.
Poems, essays, personal reflections and analytical pieces provide students with a platform to articulate their understanding of themselves, their school and the world around them.
The magazine also explores Kashmir’s natural beauty, heritage and architecture, connecting the cultural identity of the region with the educational aspirations of its younger generation.
Tourism and practical learning
The emphasis on tourism and hospitality was particularly significant given the location of the institution in the Gulmarg region.
The school’s Tourism and Hospitality activities seek to connect students with the economic and cultural possibilities emerging from the area’s tourism potential.
The Tourism and Hospitality Stall presented during Dastak complemented this approach by providing a practical platform for students to showcase their skills and understanding.
The Science Exhibition similarly demonstrated the institution’s emphasis on experiential and practical learning, allowing students to present models and scientific concepts before visiting guests and the school community.
Cultural performances mark Annual Day
The Annual Day also featured a series of cultural performances prepared by students over an extended period.
The presentations reflected Kashmir’s cultural traditions as well as the confidence, creativity and teamwork of the participating students.
The school Tarana, based on the words of a poet and presented as part of the programme, added a distinctive cultural identity to the occasion.
Memorial garden inaugurated
The inauguration of the Shahid Farooq Memorial Garden was one of the poignant moments of the day.
Established in memory of the student who recently died in a tragic road accident, the garden provides a permanent space on the school campus associated with his memory.
The initiative reflects the school’s effort to transform grief into remembrance and to ensure that a young life remains part of the institutional memory of the school.
Collective effort behind Dastak
The scale of Dastak required sustained preparation and coordination over several weeks.
The Principal, Vice Principal, teaching staff, Magazine Committee, Editorial Board, cultural teams, Science and Tourism teams, protocol and coordination teams, MTS and supporting staff worked collectively to bring the various components together.
Preparation of Parwaz, cultural presentations, exhibitions, stage management, hospitality, guest arrangements, campus preparation and logistical support involved multidimensional efforts across the institution.
The collective endeavour reflected an institutional approach in which different teams worked towards a common objective rather than treating the Annual Day as a single-day programme.
A milestone for the institution
With its combination of literature, student journalism, science, tourism, culture, practical learning and community participation, Dastak 2026 represented the diverse character of Government Model HSS Kunzer.
The release of Parwaz adds a lasting intellectual record to the occasion, while the memorial garden provides a permanent emotional connection to the school’s recent history.
Dastak 2026 thus emerged as more than an Annual Day celebration, becoming a collective showcase of the school’s educational vision, student talent, local identity and institutional efforts, bringing together the classroom, the community and the wider landscape of Gulmarg in one shared celebration.
