STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU:.The University of Jammu (JU) inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP) with a vibrant ceremony held at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium. The event witnessed participation from students, faculty, and members of civil society. Justice (Retd.) Tashi Rabstan, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and an alumnus of JU, was the Chief Guest. Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
Justice Rabstan expressed his deep connection with JU, stating, “It’s always a privilege to return and interact with young minds.” Emphasizing the importance of engaging youth in India’s development journey, he highlighted legal reforms as crucial to achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat\@2047. He stressed modern governance, citizen-centric legislation, and digital legal tools like faceless assessments and litigation monitoring, while commending the repeal of colonial laws and the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. He concluded by encouraging youth to embrace their role as active nation-builders.
Prof. Pragati Kumar emphasized the “psyche of the nation” and called for a broader understanding of youth as anyone driven by national purpose. He highlighted the disconnect between students and society, urging educators to make learning more purpose-driven. He affirmed confidence in India’s trajectory towards development. Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, JU, aligned India’s recent emergence as the fourth-largest economy with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called for a transformative ecosystem within educational institutions to foster innovation, startups, and solution-centric thinking. Stressing a shift from rote learning to experiential and IT-integrated education, he advocated for skilling, creativity, and job creation. He highlighted five key pillars: infrastructure, digital economy, health, agriculture, and education, urging universities to act as incubators of innovation. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he concluded: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is achieved.”
Earlier, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra welcomed dignitaries, while Prof. Prakash C. Antahal, Dean Students Welfare and Co-Convenor, outlined the four-day festival covering themes like Nasha Mukt Bharat, emotional wellness, and youth leadership. A cultural play titled “Bharat Ki Baat”, directed by Sumeet Sharma, celebrated Indian heritage and was performed by theatre students under SIIEDC.
A multi-department exhibition showcased innovations from eight government departments and university units, focused on digital governance, start-ups, and youth schemes. Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava delivered the vote of thanks. The session ended with a spirited tug-of-war organized by the Department of Sports.
Prominent attendees included senior academic and administrative officials, faculty, students, and civil society members.