GDC Ganderbal Volunteers Exemplify Service at Mela Kheer Bhawani
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ June 3,2025
Demonstrating exemplary commitment to community service and civic engagement, student volunteers from Government Degree College (GDC) Ganderbal played a vital role in the successful conduct of the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani at the revered shrine in Tulmulla, Ganderbal.
Under the banner “Devotion in Action,” a team of 30 enthusiastic volunteers from the NCC, NSS, and Sports wings of the college actively supported the civil administration and shrine authorities. Their responsibilities included crowd management, guidance for pilgrims, assistance to the elderly, distribution of drinking water, and ensuring cleanliness at the site—contributing significantly to the smooth functioning of the event.
Their dedicated efforts earned widespread appreciation from pilgrims and officials alike, standing as a testament to the ethos of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the Highest Duty). The initiative was led by NCC ANO Mansoor Ahmad Lone, NSS Programme Officers Dr. Jamsheeda Akhter, PTI Dr. Ravinder Kour, and Javid Ahmad.
This youth-led engagement reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to nurturing responsible citizens and aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, which emphasizes youth participation in nation-building through cultural and civic involvement.
The college administration conveys its sincere appreciation to the district administration, police department, and shrine management for their support and coordination, which were instrumental in enabling this meaningful initiative.
GDC Ganderbal Volunteers Exemplify Service at Mela Kheer Bhawani. The temple is one of the most important temples for Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindu Kashmiris, most of them who worship her as their protective patron deity Kuladevi. The sacred spring here has its own attached belief. An eponymously named mela is held annually here.It is one of the largest gatherings of Hindus in the region following the Amarnath pilgrimage.
