VC urges academia to preserve Jammu region’s cultural legac

Jammu Vishwavidyalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam concludes at JU

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Umesh Rai on Saturday lauded the rich cultural diversity of the Duggar region, emphasizing that Jammu’s identity has been shaped by centuries of traditions, languages and community practices. He said it is essential for academic institutions to document, preserve and promote this heritage for future generations.
The Vice-Chancellor was addressing the concluding session of the two-day Jammu Vishwavidyalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam, which concluded at the University of Jammu with insightful panel discussions, vibrant cultural performances and enthusiastic participation from students, scholars and members of civil society.
Prof. Rai highlighted the broader vision of reconnecting the younger generation with the literary and cultural traditions of the Jammu region. He said the idea behind organising the Samagam was to create a meaningful platform where literature, culture and public discourse could come together in a spirit of dialogue and reflection. Universities, he added, must function not only as centres of academic learning but also as custodians of cultural memory and heritage.
He also stressed the importance of integrating regional literature, languages and cultural traditions into academic curricula so that students remain connected to their roots while engaging with global knowledge systems. Referring to the Arvind Gyan Kendra, Prof. Rai reiterated the university’s commitment to preserving and making accessible valuable cultural literature and intellectual traditions related to the Duggar region. He expressed satisfaction that the Samagam successfully brought together scholars, writers, artists, journalists and students on a common platform, encouraging dialogue across generations and strengthening awareness of Jammu’s cultural heritage.
Earlier in the day, a panel discussion titled “Jammu Sanskriti Ki Baati: Vyapakata Dikhati” highlighted the region’s rich and diverse cultural traditions. The session featured eminent speakers including Shiv Nirmohi, M. K. Waqar, Harsimran Singh, Farooq Anwar Mirza, Chander Kant and Dharmender Singh, while the discussion was moderated by Gulaab Safi.
The speakers elaborated on the deep historical roots of Duggar culture, tracing its connections with ancient traditions, Vedic references and regional folklore. They highlighted the cultural contributions of areas such as Bhaderwah, Paddar and the Pahari belt, along with the influence of Punjabi traditions in shaping the composite identity of Jammu. They also noted that traditional festivals, agricultural practices, community participation and folk traditions continue to preserve values of unity, harmony and cultural continuity in the region.
The afternoon session included another panel discussion moderated by Arun Manhas. The panel featured Mohan Singh, Baljit Singh Raina, Rajveer Singh, Asadullah Wani, Saras Bharti and Subash Brahamanu. The panelists discussed the role of language, cinema, literature and cultural traditions in shaping youth consciousness and strengthening regional identity.
As part of the event, several competitions were organised. In the elocution contest held at Padma Sachdev Sur Samvad, Parul Thakur from the Department of Journalism, University of Jammu secured the first prize, while Nitish Kumar from the Department of Dogri, University of Jammu won the second prize. Akash Rathore from Indian Institute of Mass Communication Jammu secured the third position. Consolation prizes were awarded to Komal Devi from the Department of English, Central University of Jammu and Samiksha Mishra from IIMC Jammu.
A Students’ Elocution Contest also witnessed enthusiastic participation from 43 students representing various colleges and universities. Mahi Gupta from Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar secured the first prize, followed by Rahul Thakur from Government Degree College Kathua in second place and Ojeswi Rajput from Government College for Women Parade in third place. Consolation prizes were awarded to Mannat Abrol from Government Degree College Reasi and Hetisha from Jammu Institute of Ayurveda and Research.
The audience was also treated to captivating folk performances by Master Kartar Chand, Khajoor Singh, Mohinder Soni and Sohan Kumar, reflecting the vibrant musical traditions of the Duggar region. Additional performances by Darshan Patakha, the Slathia Brothers and Bishan Dass added further cultural vibrancy to the programme.
The valedictory session included a panel discussion featuring prominent journalists Neha Jalali, Nishikant Khajuria, Naveen Nawaz and Daya Sagar, moderated by Pradeep Dutta. The panelists observed that although Jammu has a long tradition of inclusivity and coexistence of diverse communities, its cultural heritage has not always received the recognition it deserves in broader discourse. They noted that since its establishment in 1969, the University of Jammu has played an important role in promoting regional languages, literature and cultural traditions. Describing Jammu as a “bouquet of cultures,” the speakers highlighted the contributions of Dogra, Pahari, Gujjar-Bakarwal and other hill communities from regions such as Doda, Bhaderwah, Rajouri and Poonch in shaping the region’s composite identity. They also stressed the need to engage the younger generation in preserving and promoting cultural traditions through digital platforms and modern communication tools. The valedictory ceremony was further enriched by vibrant cultural performances, including traditional folk dances and musical presentations by the BSF Band and Pipe Band. Students of the University of Jammu also presented cultural items, bringing the two-day literary and cultural festival to a colourful conclusion.\ Over the course of two days, the Jammu Vishwavidyalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam transformed the University campus into a lively hub of literary dialogue, cultural reflection and artistic expression. Dogra art, culture and cuisine were also showcased during the event, reaffirming the university’s commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural legacy of Jammu and the broader Duggar region.