Hina Khan recently visited Army Goodwill School (AGS) Boniyar and Dagger Parivaar School in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, and interacted with students and praised the educational environment, infrastructure and confidence of the young learners. It was the actor’s visit that showed us the role of schools in remote areas in helping children pursue their dreams in education and professional life.
Hina Khan observed with students and said she was especially impressed by the confidence exhibited by children studying at the schools. As the institutions are in Pir Panjal, students are in very good shape to pursue their dreams and are interested in medical and engineering careers.
“I have found many Goodwill schools. It is in Pir Panjal. I liked the confidence level of the kids here. Some kids are qualifying for NEET and want to become engineers and doctors,” Hina Khan said.
The actor said the Defence forces were doing so much to establish schools in difficult and remote areas and in so doing are the ones that she would recognize. She added that educational infrastructure in such institutions can help children learn well, no matter where they live.
Hina Khan added that this model could also inspire similar educational projects in larger cities. She had advocated for the establishment of schools with similar facilities in urban areas as well, she said. She said it was a lesson in how the educational facilities and environment she witnessed during the visit were quite good.
One aspect that caught Hina Khan’s eye was the long-term relationship students have with their school. Most of the children involved in the institutions have been at the school since nursery, she said. For her, the fact students continue with the same school for many years suggests the trust and connection they have built with the institution.
As she said: “The most important thing is that most of the children have been studying in this school since nursery. If a child doesn’t leave the school, it means the school is very good,” she said.
The actor’s visit also included interactions with students and a tour of school facilities. Hina Khan did visit a laboratory during her time at the institutions and talked about science, space and the universe. She met students and the children were able to ask about what they like and their dreams and to hear from a public figure about perseverance.
Hina Khan also used the occasion to send out some encouraging words to young people. She urged students to stay ambitious and to keep going as always, even in difficult situations. She said that hard work always results in success and encouragement.
“My message to the youth is to keep that desire to do something in life alive. Hard work always bears fruit,” Hina Khan said.
The visit comes as Army Goodwill Schools are still very much part of educational efforts in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Schools can be not only places where students grow up, but also where they can develop confidence, skills and aspirations for future careers at the same time, for students in remote locations.
Hina Khan’s observation about the students’ aspirations and their interest in medicine and engineering and their study of NEET brought to light young people’s aspirations throughout the region and this had been reflected in their behaviour. She also emphasized that access to education and supportive school environments can spur children to achieve higher goals.
Hina Khan is well-known for her television work and rose to fame with her role as Akshara in the popular television show *Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai*. She later portrayed Komolika in *Kasautii Zindagii Kay*. She has continued to work on television, films and other entertainment projects in the last few years.
Her Kashmir school visit showed us a different side of the actor in relation to education, youth aspirations and interactions with students. Hina Khan also stressed the significance of providing educational opportunities in the most difficult places in the world: geography and accessibility.
And ultimately it was all about the students: to keep learning, to keep the energy to work hard and to stay motivated. The children she met in Baramulla also got to meet a great actor and share with her what they want to do for the future and where they are looking.
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