Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 18: A good spell of snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir Valley has brought renowned enthusiasm in tourism as many tourists are visiting Gulmarg to try their hands on skiing and facilitated the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) to complete its 6th ski course successfully.
A statement issued here said today more than 80 students passed out from IISM completing two weeks ski course in Gulmarg. “An impressive graduation ceremony was held inside the Institute in which General Manager of Cable Car Corporation, Riyaz Ahmad Malik, was the chief guest,” it said.
Principal of the Institute, Col JS Dhillon, welcomed the chief guest and apprised him about the various activities being undertaken by the Institute. “He said Institute is not only promoting adventure tourism in the state but also helping local youth to gain meaningful employment as guides and instructors in the tourism sector after qualifying its various adventure courses,” the statement said.
The Institute trains more than 500 youth every winter in skiing courses and it has also trained youth from remote areas free of cost. Out of this youth many have become national champions and are likely to represent the country in international competitions, said the statement.
Col Dhillon said that IISM courses are ideal suited to develop the personality of youth as through this training we can develop those traits of leadership which can’t be developed in the protected environments of schools and colleges. Recently a three year old girl Zainab became the youngest Indian to qualify in the basic ski course at IISM, he said.
“ISM is the only ski school in the South East Asia where all modern facilities are provided. It has centrally heated accommodation and it has its own snow grooming machinery and ski lifts. It has modern ski equipment and the best ski instructors of the Nation. The standard of training and administration is of very high quality, he said.
The General Manager of Cable Car Corporation, Riyaz Malik, appreciated the efforts of IISM to promote adventure tourism in the State. He said Cable car Corporation will always help IISM to achieve its aim. Institute has excellent work synergy with all local stake holders which is making Gulmarg as an ideal adventure destination of the Nation. He assured all help from Gulmarg Gondola to the Institute. Institute is likely to conduct many summer activities in coming days.
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