SRINAGAR: The declaration of Class 10 and Class 12 results by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday sparked widespread celebrations across Kashmir, leading to a sharp increase in the sale of cakes, sweets, traditional delicacies, garlands and other congratulatory items as families marked students’ academic success.
From Srinagar to nearby towns and districts, bakeries, confectioneries, small sweet shops, florists and general stores witnessed one of their busiest winter days, with families thronging markets soon after the results were announced.
A representative of Sunny Smiles Bakery, a well-known bakery in Srinagar, said the outlet had a packed day, catering to over 200 orders within hours of the announcement. “There was barely any pause between orders. Most customers wanted cakes immediately to celebrate,” the bakery said.
In the outskirts of Srinagar, a bakery shop owner in Bagh-e-Mehtab said demand peaked sharply because both Class 10 and Class 12 results were declared on the same day. Speaking while preparing multiple orders, the owner said that at one point they were handling six cake orders simultaneously. “Since both results came out together, the demand was very high today,” the baker said.
Another bakery shop owner said she had to cancel several orders as requests began coming in bulk. “We were receiving orders continuously and in large numbers. Eventually, we had to cancel many because it became difficult to manage,” she said.
The celebration rush was not limited to Srinagar. A bakery owner from Anantnag district said that apart from cakes and sweets, there was strong demand for kulchas, biscuits, tea cakes and plum cakes. “People were buying these items to take along when visiting relatives whose children passed with flying colours,” the owner said, adding that customers preferred items that could be easily shared during family visits.
Garlands in Abundance, a Cultural Tradition
The celebratory rush extended well beyond bakeries. Markets such as Maharaji Bazaar and other adjoining commercial areas witnessed heavy footfall at flower stalls, as families purchased multiple money garlands locally known as paense maal to congratulate students.
Shopkeepers said that in Kashmir, it is a common cultural practice for relatives, neighbours and well-wishers to bring several garlands, not just one, when congratulating students who qualify board examinations. “Many people come together, and each relative brings a garland,” a garland shop owner said, adding that people had started preparing soon after the result announcement was made.
Traditional Sweets Add to Festivities:
Alongside cakes, traditional sweets such as halwa and halwa-paratha saw brisk sales across Kashmir. Even small sweet shop owners reported a noticeable surge in business, with families choosing traditional food items to celebrate the occasion.
A girl shopping at a local market said she bought halwa-paratha and other sweets to celebrate her sister’s success. “My sister passed her Class 12 exams today, so we took halwa-paratha and sweets to celebrate with the family,” she said.
General store owners across Kashmir also reported increased sales, saying people bought packets of wrapped sweets in bulk. “Many families buy packets of sweets to shower them on students while congratulating them,” a shopkeeper said, describing it as a common celebratory gesture associated with board results.
Celebrations at Home and Beyond:
In Srinagar, Ghulam Nabi Wani, who had been anxiously waiting for the Class 10 result, said celebrations followed immediately after the announcement. “As soon as the result was declared, I ordered a cake,” he said.
Another father, whose two daughters appeared for the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, said the day turned into a double celebration. “Both results were announced on the same day, so I bought two cakes to celebrate their achievements in their respective classes,” he said.
Wedding material shop owners also experienced unexpected business on results day. Several shopkeepers said people bought *tokriya*, decorative baskets, which were then filled with money and sweets and taken to relatives’ homes to congratulate successful students. “These *tokriya* are usually associated with weddings, but results day follows similar customs,” a shop owner said.
Across Kashmir, similar scenes unfolded as families gathered to mark success with sweets, flowers, money baskets and shared meals, reflecting the deep emotional and social importance of board examinations in the region.
Summing up the mood, a sweet shop owner said, “It is always a celebration whenever results are announced, especially board exams in Kashmir, where they are celebrated as much as any other major occasion.”
Overall Result:
According to official figures released by JKBOSE, a total of 94,845 students had enrolled for the Class 10 annual examination, of whom 80,650 passed, achieving a pass percentage of 85.03 percent, while the Class 12 annual regular examinations for the October–November session recorded an overall pass percentage of 84 percent, with 59,435 out of 70,735 students successfully clearing the exam, reflecting a strong performance across Jammu and Kashmir.
