Summer vacation is probably the happiest period in a student's life. In plains this lasts for about two months. These vacations generally commence from the second week of May every year. The purpose of the summer vacation is multifold.

One is relaxation. A student gets fatigued after the end of the annual examination. He needs rest to recoup health and vitality. The second purpose is to tide over the unbearable heat of the summer months. The third purpose is to provide a chance to a student to make up his deficiency in any particular subject. It also gives an opportunity to him to visit new places. Travelling is an experience and has with it educative value.

Last summer I planned my programme in such a manner as to obtain maximum benefit. I took permission of my father to visit Kashmir along with my friend. Both of us got berths reserved in the Jammu Mail much in advance to avoid frustration. Reaching Jammu we got into a bus for Srinangar. We hired a shikara for our stay there. The climate was very bracing. We felt as if we were in heaven. We relaxed there fully. I was weak in English, so I had taken a learner book with me. I used to study grammar in my leisure time. I also learnt horse riding and skiing there. We used to have plenty of fruits after meals.

But the vacation was to end one day. So was the case of our short trip to Kashmir. Time rolled on and the day approached when we had to leave that valley of dreams. There was a great rush of passengers at Jammu. We contacted the station master who helped us in securing berths in the train. We reached Delhi early in the morning.

The short trip to Kashmir during the summer vacation was a happy experience for us and its memory is still green in our minds.