First of its kind, College on Wheels to help students learn beyond four walls of classrooms

About 780 female students from various universities in the Himalayan state of Jammu & Kashmir recently set out on an exciting and anticipated two-week educational journey.

This unique educational pilgrimage takes them to centers of excellence and prominent places across the country. For many, it's not just their first train ride but also their initial experience of traveling beyond the borders of the state.

On November 19, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the College on Wheels train at Katra Railway Station in the Reasi district of the state.

Jammu University (JU) has initiated an educational program for college students inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's historic train tour of the country. Manoj Sinha announced that another train for male students will be launched soon.

Fahmida khanum, 21 from Jammu said, “All of us are excited for the historic and adventurous train ride. It is a dream come true for us. We will explore diverse regions and cultures firsthand.”

Sumaira Zubeen, a postgraduate student studying Islamic Studies at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri, was excited about the prospect of discovering new destinations beyond Jammu and Kashmir.

She told Global South World, “She would get a chance to learn about the habits, rituals, practices, lifestyle, traditions, and customs of people from various parts.”

Recently, the students were in the national capital, Delhi, where they explored iconic government buildings, including a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India.

On November 21, the students visited Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, describing it as a profound journey into history as they walked the same grounds where Mahatma Gandhi lived and worked.

In the coming days, they have plans to visit various places in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, and more.