Gulmarg, Mar 20: The 6th snow skiing course of Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM) concluded at Gulmarg on Saturday.
 The course was attended by 60 young boys and girls from all over the country majority of them were from Lolab valley who were sponsored by Army under project Sadbhavna, a IISM statement said.
 During the course participants were imparted training in 3 levels of skiing, Basic, Intermediate and Advance ski courses. The certificates and prizes were awarded to the trainees during the concluding function by Brig. Ashok Abbey, AVSM, who was the Chief Guest, statement said. 
 On the occasion Principal, IISM, Col. J S. Dhillon said, “Institute aims to train the youth of the country especially from Kashmir to develop in them those skills of adventure which can help them to generate self employment in adventure tourism”.
 “Institute used to conduct only Snow & Water ski courses but has now diversified into multifacet adventure activities including Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding and Para motors. Govt. of India is taking very keen interest to revive this Institute after decades of turmoil in the Valley. Institute has new ski equipment and a new building in Gulmarg where the students get the best of administration and training. Centrally heated accommodation, training, all meals and ski equipment” he added.
 Brig.  Abbay, appreciated the various steps being taken by the Institute to train our youth and develop in them the essential skills of adventure which will help unemployed youth of Kashmir to generate meaningful employment in addition to develop their personality.
 A message from Lt. General S. A. Hasnain, AVSM,SM,VSM** was also read out to students by Principal which said that he will sponsor more students for such courses through IISM to generate tourism based employment in Kashmir, statement added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST