Doon School Srinagar celebrated its Annual Day “Gulzar”-(2024) An Evening of Rich Kashmiri Heritage, which showcased the vibrant history and traditions of Kashmiri culture and its heritage. The event was honoured by the presence of the chief guest Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Ms. Suraiya Abdullah, notable Bollywood star Mr. Shakti Kapoor, Director School Education-Dr Tasadduq Hussain Mir, along other prominent dignitaries, bureaucrats, top government officials and artists from the theatre industry.
The evening also marked the launch of the school’s magazine, “Gulzar” unveiled by Mr. Shakti Kapoor, along with the Chairman Doon School Srinagar, Vice- chairman, First Lady of DSS, General secretary DSS, Vice- General Secretary DSS, Principal, and other dignitaries.
Bollywood star Mr. Shakti Kapoor expressed his admiration for Doon School Srinagar’s impressive infrastructure and the students' fluent English during the annual head’s report. He praised their accent and eloquence, stating he would love his grandchildren to study at Doon School Srinagar, especially after its collaboration with the Wilmot foundation. He applauded the chairman and also made a special request asking to be invited to every such event in the future, expressing his eagerness to return.
The Chief Guest, former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, delivered an inspiring speech, congratulating Chairman Mr. Showkat Hussain Khan for his vision in showcasing Kashmiri culture and heritage through the grand opera. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, reflected on his father, the great Sheikh Abdullah's vision of a progressive Kashmir. He expressed his pride in seeing this vision come to life through institutions like Doon School Srinagar. Under the patronage of Chairman Mr. Showkat Hussain Khan, the school is transitioning towards that dream, offering world-class education while preserving Kashmiri heritage.
During the welcome speech, the Chairman of Doon School Srinagar, Mr. Showkat Hussain Khan, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, special guest, the Bollywood star Mr. Shakti Kapoor. In a heartfelt address, the Chairman shared his journey of establishing Doon School Srinagar. He reflected on the school’s initial association with Doon International School Dehradun, aiming to bring world-class education and infrastructure to Kashmir. However, despite the effort, the collaboration did not yield the desired results. Undeterred, Mr. Khan expanded the school’s vision, successfully partnering with the Wilmot Foundation in the Netherlands, bringing genuine international opportunities to students and Kashmiri youth. He proudly mentioned that Doon School Srinagar is the first green school in the valley, aligning itself with the United Nations’ sustainability movement and additionally having the region’s first ever MS Dhoni cricket academy. The Annual Day event, “Gulzar”-2024 was a resounding success, leaving an indelible mark on everyone.
