Bhadarwah: December 06, 2010: A two-day Bhaderwah Youth Festival, comprising a plethora of entertaining and educative activities, was organized by Bhadarwah Campus of University of Jammu in collaboration with 4 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army at the premises of Bhaderwah Campus. As a part of ‘Sadbhavana Initiative’ of Indian army and voicing their motto ‘we stand for peace,’ the festival aimed at exposing the students of this far-flung region of Chenab basin to confidence building measures through extra-curicullar activities.
The festival was inaugurated in the morning of 03 December 2010. Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment, Govt. of J&K State, Jenab Abdul Gani Malik was the chief guest for the occasion. Other dignitaries present were Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu, Major General Gurmit Singh, VSM GOC Delta Force of Indian Army, Prof. I.A. Hamal, Vice Chancellor, Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Brig. Sharabh Pachory, Cdr 4 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and Prof. B.P. Singh Sehgal, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus. All the prominent persons belonging to Bhaderwah town including MLC Doda, Jenab Soharwarthy, MLA Bhaderwah, Jenab Sharif Niaz, MLC Bhaderwah, Mr. Naresh Gupta were also present.
Chief guest Jenab Malik, in his address, congratulated the Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, for contributing in developing the higher education in this region. He was pleased to notice the contribution of Jammu University in developing campuses in the Jammu region. He suggested that the expertise available with the University should filter down to the high schools, ten-plus-two and degree colleges of the region. The website of the Bhaderwah Campus was also launched on the occasion by the chief guest.
Speaking on this occasion, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Sahni envisioned the potential growth of campuses of both Jammu University and Kashmir University for catering to the needs of the people of remote areas. He appreciated the efforts of Indian army for its ‘Sadbhavana Initiative,’ saying that through the Sadbhavana the army has not only contributed to the development of hard infrastructure including educational institutions but also has taken up the development of soft infrastructure through ventures like the youth festival.
Brig. Pachory, Commander 4 Rashtriya Rifles in his address revealed the spirit behind organizing these festivals. He said that these events offer the students of far-flung regions to come at par with the students of main stream. He also recognized the support of the people of this region in working with the security forces to combat turmoil and uphold peace.
Earlier Prof.B.P.Singh Sehgal , Rector of the Campus,while extending warm welcome to the guests highlighted the aims and objectives of this Youth Festival. He mentioned that such events give an opportunity to the youth from the far flung area to interact with each other and share their socio-cultural value which ultimately promote the spirit of national integration and communal harmony among the youth. Prof. Sehgal further informed about the establishment of new institute of Mountaineering development in the campus which will provide the facilities of opening of new courses in the campus.
This was the first mega event of its kind taking place in Bhadarwah in which more than 130 students of seven colleges of Chenab Basin, namely GDC, Bhaderwah, GDC, Kishtwar, GDC, Kilhotraan, GDC, Banihal, GDC, Chatroo, GDC, Doda, Islamia Faridia College, Kishwar participated apart from the Bhaderwah Campus and the University of Jammu. The events included quiz, painting, sketching, group and solo dance, cartooning, photography, elocution, debate, group and solo song, mono acting, skit and clay modeling. Sketching and clay modeling were organized at Khalleni Top in the lap of nature surrounded by the snow-capped hills, an appropriate venue for this kind of competition providing ample opportunity to students to reflect natural beauty in their art. A game show, a dog show and a weapon display were put up by the army as added attractions.
Various stalls like book stalls, IT stall, career counseling stall etc. were also put up to help students get acquainted with the recent developments in the domain of academia and the opportunities available in the job sector.
The efforts of the university in conducting the festival were supported by the people of the Chenab Basin and Bhaderwah and the testimony to this was the participation of a large number of girl students in almost all the activities. The girl students excelled in the activities and were the major recipients of prizes. The desire of the people for peace and development was reflected in allowing their daughters to participate actively from the inaugural to the valedictory function.
The valedictory function was held in the evening of 4 December 2010. Major General Gurmit Singh, VSM GOC Delta Force of Indian Army, was the chief guest for the valedictory function. Other dignitaries present were Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof. Varun Sahni, Col. Paramjeet Singh, Commanding Officer 4 Rashtriya Rifles, Prof. I.A. Hamal, Vice Chancellor BGSB University, Brig. Sharabh Pachory, Cdr 4 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, Prof. B.P. Singh Sehgal, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu and the Principals of the participating colleges of the Chenab Basin and beyond.
Col. Paramjeet Singh, Commanding Officer 4 Rashtriya Rifles, in his address, highlighted the various aspects of return of normalcy to the region, evident from the enthusiastic response in participation from students of various colleges including girls. Major General Gurmeet Singh, VSM GOC Delta Force of Indian Army, addressing the audience, stressed on the empowerment of youth, emphasizing on army’s whole-hearted and unconditional support to the local populace in achieving the same. He also promised the setting up of a gymnasium at the Bhaderwah Campus and the organization of such activities every year.
During the valedictory function, prizes were distributed to the winners of the various activities. The winner and runner-up trophies were awarded to Government Degree College, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu respectively for their overall best performances. As a token of remembrance, Prof. B.P. Singh Sehgal, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus, presented mementoes to the chief guest Major General Gurmit Singh, VSM GOC Delta Force of Indian Army, Brig. Sharabh Pachory, Cdr 4 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, Col. Paramjeet Singh and Commanding Officer 4 Rashtriya Rifles. Brig. Sharabh Pachory, Cdr 4 Sector Rashtriya Rifles presented mementoes to Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu, Prof. I.A. Hamal, Vice Chancellor BGSB University and Prof. B.P. Singh Sehgal, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu. The Principals of the participating colleges were also presented with mementoes.
Besides this, the winners and runners up of various cultural events like solo song, solo dance, group song, group dance, and skit put up a cultural progrmme with their prize winning performances to add thrill and excitement to the evening of valediction. To add to these scintillating and tantalizing performances there were the guest performances of Ustad Farooq Khokhar, Ustad Majid Latief and Shri Digvijay.
This collaborative effort of the Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu and 4 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army has added a new colour to the academic life of this remote region of the Chenab Basin. Exposure of this kind has helped the students of this far-flung region to build up their self confidence enhancing their competence to compete with the students of urban areas.