Primary school building set ablaze in Baramulla

SRINAGAR: A primary school building in Pattan area of Baramulla and two vehicles were set ablaze by some persons in Kashmir in separate incidents of arson over the past 24 hours.

KOTA: While most students undergoing coaching at prestigious Kota institutes are heading home for Diwali, a large number of students from the Valley have decided to stay back owing to the turmoil in the state.

Over week-long Diwali break starting in the last week of October and stretching to the first week of November is the biggest vacation at these institutes.

Adil Salim Butt (18), who hails from Anantnag and is preparing for NEET entrance examination at Allen Career Institute in Kota, told HT that he will celebrate Diwali at the institute as his father has asked him to stay put in Kota owing to unrest in the Valley.

Another Kashmiri student Gauhar Ahmad (16), who also hails from Anantnag region, said, “Most of the Kashmiri students were desperately waiting for the Diwali break to visit their homes. We have been staying here from the past six months now and were looking forward to the vacation, which is the longest break at the institutes here.” He said the developments back home have spoiled their vacation as well as mood to enjoy the vacation.

Another student Shahid Rashid (18) from Kulgam said,“Since we have been asked to stay back, our parents have assured us that they will visit us at Kota soon.”

Some students are also concerned about their meals as the mess will remain closed for Diwali break.

Arafat Ahmad (17), who is preparing for NEET, said the students are now busy making alternative arrangement for their food.

Many students also said that they were not able to speak to their parents frequently over phone due to disrupted internet and mobile services in the Valley.

Ahmad said he had spoken to his parents only once or twice in last 2-3 months but now was relieved as the services were restored in the Valley.

Over 700 students from Kashmir take coaching from different institutes in Kota every year.

Most of the Kashmiri students were waiting for the Diwali break to visit their homes. We have been staying here from the past six months and were looking forward to the vacation, which is the longest break at the institutes here. GAUHAR AHMAD, Kashmiri student