Srinagar, Oct 17: Governor N N Vohra, who is also the Kashmir University Chancellor, Monday urged the student community of Jammu and Kashmir to come up with their suggestions on the “future of Kashmir.”
Addressing the inaugural session of Sounzal-2011—the varsity’s annual youth festival—Vohra said that “for the past 40 years, I have been holding this view that the future of a country lies in the hands of youth as future leaders. I think one of the subjects in this youth festival, as a debate or essay, could be what the students think should be the future of Kashmir; what they think needs to be done to bring Jammu and Kashmir at number one in terms of development and education; what is lacking in the educational sector and what requires to be done to plug the problems, if any. I think a critical analysis of all this would be essential for us.”
He said the students must tell the state what could be done to make Kashmir a better place to live in and how to progress in areas like governance, education and development. “So far we have been hearing suggestions on this from media and leaders. But it is time for the students to come up with their suggestions,” Vohra, the Chief Guest, said.
He said a youth festival is important in life of a university. “And I am hopeful that a festival like Sounzal would gradually progress into colleges affiliated with the university,” he said.
The youth-festival is being organized by the varsity’s Department of Students Welfare and has student participation from at least 40 colleges and 45 teaching departments of the university.
The Governor underscored the importance of youth for a country. “Education is not merely passing an examination. A good and wholesome education means full personality development of students in all spheres of life including office, community, home and civil society as a whole. If we are able to achieve such an objective, I am sure our societies everywhere will be far more harmonious and far more productive and peaceful,” he said, addressing a mammoth gathering of students at the varsity’s Convocation Complex.
The KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said the youth festival is an important occasion where students get a chance to demonstrate their talent and potential in varied fields. “I am happy to see a good student participation in this festival. It will not only help students to demonstrate their talent but also develop it in the process,” he said. He said the varsity is committed to support all such endeavors that are aimed at developing the overall personality of students “which forms the foundation of a wholesome education.”
The KU Registrar Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad said the involvement of students in Sounzal shows their urge to be a part of such initiatives. “I have seen the active involvement of students in Sounzal which is a very healthy sign,” he said, hailing the efforts of DSW in holding the annual festival.
The KU’s Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof AM Shah urged the students to be a part of the festival where they can show their creativity. “Education is not only about imparting academic training. It is also about personality development where creativity and innovation matters,” he said.
The Dean, Students Welfare Department, Prof Neelofar Khan formally welcomed the participants and gave a background of activities undertaken by the department over the years. “The youth festival is a platform for students to not only interact among themselves but also demonstrate their ability in various competitive and non-competitive segments of the festival like essay competition, poster competition, elocution and debate,” she said.
Assistant Dean Students Welfare, Showkat Shafi presented the vote of thanks while Shahid Ali Khan, Cultural Officer, conducted the proceedings of the festival.
The Sounzal Festival would continue for eight days. The festival is sponsored by various organizations and departments including Daily Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Spectrum, J&K Bank, Directorate of Distance Education, Paradise College of Education, BIG 92.7 FM and Peaks Auto.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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