A two-day international conference on ‘Silk Route-Historical and Contemporary Relevance’ organised by Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), University of Kashmir started here at KU on Monday.
Scholars, faculty members, students and delegates drawn fromvarious Institutes of India and Central Asia such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan,JNU, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi University are participating in the conference
Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad highlighted thesignificance of the Silk Route and possibility of exploring it further for thebenefit of people in Kashmir and Central Asia.
“I hope that the scholars, delegates and faculty members whohave come from across the country and outside will bring many new ideas to forethat would provide an opportunity for a free movement of thought again for thebenefit of people of Kashmir and Central Asia.”
V-C Islamic University of Science and Technology Prof.Mushtaq A. Siddiqi said “Kashmir falls in the ambit of the silk-route and henceit has a bearing of many cultures and also transported many elements of itsculture to outside through the route in the past.”
Dean School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), New Delhi Prof Ajay Patnaik delivered keynote address on the subject.
He gave the historical perspective of the silk-route andtalked about the revival strategies. “Sustainable co-operation will be possiblethrough widespread connectivity, “Prof Patnaik said.
“If one country connects its routes with any other thatroute will serve other surrounding regions as well and same is true for CentralAsia,” he added.
Former Director CCAS KU Prof Abdul Majeed Matoo in hisspecial remarks said “CCAS is one of the best of its kind in Central Asia andmuch research has been conducted on silk-route by this centre and I hope sameis carried forward.”
Former Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof M Ashraf Wani who wasthe special guest on the occasion said that by conducting this conference CCASis celebrating it’s birthday because the idea of the silk-route went behind themaking of this centre.
Director CCAS KU Prof GN Khaki welcomed all the dignitaries,faculty members, special guests, scholars and students.
A book titled ‘Statusof Women in Post Revolutionary Iran’ was also released on the occasion.
Dr Afzal Mir presented the vote of thanks on the occasionwhileas Dr M Ajmal Shah conducted the proceedings of the session.