Srinagar, September 28, 2025 – In a spectacular fusion of Kashmir’s timeless aquatic heritage and the pulsating energy of international cricket, the Aryans Group of Colleges orchestrated a thrilling shikara race on the iconic Dal Lake today, dedicating the event to Team India as they gear up to clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup Final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The initiative not only celebrated the region’s rich Kashmiri culture but also amplified the nationwide fervor surrounding the high-stakes IND vs PAK showdown, marking the first-ever Asia Cup finalbetween the two cricketing powerhouses.
The event, held at Ghat No. 18 on the shimmering waters of Dal Lake, saw dozens of traditional wooden shikaras – the elegant houseboats synonymous with Srinagar’s serene beauty – slicing through the lake in a competitive sprint. Students from the Aryans Group, many of whom hail from Jammu and Kashmir and proudly call the institution the “Mini Kashmir of Punjab,” adorned their boats with tricolour flags, vibrant banners proclaiming “Go India!” and “Win for Bharat!”, and even mock cricket stumps as oarsmen paddled with patriotic zeal. The air echoed with chants of “India! India!” and the rhythmic splash of oars, drawing crowds of locals, tourists, and fellow students who lined the ghats, turning the lakeside into a carnival of cricketing spirit and cultural pride.
This marks the eighth edition of the Aryans Shikara Race*, a tradition spearheaded by the college’s JK student community since 2021 to boost tourism and showcase Kashmir’s culture. Previous races have featured innovations like the “Shikara App” for bookings and eco-friendly “Solar Boats,” underscoring the group’s commitment to blending education with community upliftment. Over 2,000 Kashmiri students study at Aryans’ campuses in Rajpura near Chandigarh, across disciplines from engineering to nursing, fostering a deep-rooted connection to their homeland. Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman of the Aryans Group of Colleges, who virtually presided over the event, lauded the students’ initiative as a “beautiful bridge between our cultural roots and the unifying passion of cricket.” He emphasized how such events promote holistic development, echoing the group’s ethos of “education with a purpose.”
Local faculty member Er. Mudasir Sheikh Ahmad, a JK representative at Aryans, shared with ANI, “We’ve organized seven **shikara races** before, but today’s eighth is special – dedicated to our heroes in blue. Our best wishes to India for the Asia Cup Final match against Pakistan. Victory is ours!” As the races concluded with cheers for the winners – who received certificates and tokens amid a flurry of selfies and high-fives – participants released paper lanterns inscribed with messages of support for stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and the emerging talents who propelled India to the final with a thrilling Super Over win over Sri Lanka. The event wrapped up with a communal viewing setup on the lakeside, where attendees tuned into live updates from Dubai, heightening the anticipation for the 14:30 GMT showdown.
The Asia Cup 2025, hosted across the UAE, has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with India entering as seven-time champions and defending their title, while Pakistan, two-time winners, seek redemption after earlier group-stage encounters. Today’s shikara race in Srinagar stands as a poignant reminder of how sports transcends borders, igniting unity and joy from the houseboats of Dal Lake to the floodlights of Dubai.
