Around 700 students participating in 18 categories
Campus Reporter
Srinagar – Describing the youth as an embodiment of innovation and creativity, Minister for Science and Information Technology J&K State Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi Tuesday said that extra-curricular activities are an essential component of the education process, for preparing the students to effectively face future challenges.
Ruhullah as Chief Guest was addressing the students and faculty members of the University of Kashmir after inaugurating a 5-day Intra-University Youth Festival, Sonzal-2012, organized by the Department of Students Welfare at the Kashmir University here today.
More than 700 students from about 40 Degree Colleges and 45 University teaching departments are participating in this festival.
While observing that the aim of education is not merely passing examinations but to also produce balanced personalities, Ruhullah said The youth festival is a revolutionary initiative in terms of brining or activating the creative and innovative instincts amongst the youth and we as society have a great responsibility to ensure that our youngsters get a proper platform for showcasing their talent which will help in the overall development of our young generation.
Ruhullah said that the youth of Kashmir have proven their potential at various national and international forums in both academics as well as extra-curricular activities and have won laurels for the state.
Our students do not lack talent. They are a repository of innovative and creative ideas. Our youth have qualified the most difficult administrative exams at national level and have won awards and recognition in various national level competitions in various fields. However what is needed now is that they get a proper direction and University is the best institution which can nurture their talent by providing them more such opportunities, said Ruhullah.
Quoting poet of the east Dr Sir Mohammad Iqbal Ruhullah while giving hope to the youth encouraged them to shape their own destiny as the destiny of the state and the whole nation depends on them.
Statistics have shown that 60 percent of the population of the country comprises of those who are below the age of 35 and same holds true in case of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore the destiny of our nation and state is associated with the destiny of our youth who have the power to set the tone for the entire society, said Ruhullah.
In his Presidential address Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat said that to begin with and for expanding the coverage and impact of the Festival the University next year will try to rope-in the students from other universities outside the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof Talat said This is for the second time that I am witnessing this event and it is great to see that the festival is growing better with every year. Education does not mean only getting degrees and securing marks. It means the overall development of an individual with a healthy mind and soul. And such festivals provide an opportunity to the youth to showcase their talent and at the same time helps in cross fertilization of innovative art, ideas and thoughts.
Registrar University of Kashmir Prof S Fayaz Ahmad who was guest of honour on the occasion said that the University of Kashmir has emerged as the front runner and highest seat of learning in the entire North India which provides overall development to the students.
In the last six months more than 500 students of our University have qualified NET and other competitive exams and in the last one year or so our students have bagged 50 national awards in various categories of sports and other events in various competitions held across the country. These statistics show that our University besides helping students to pursue their academic pursuits also helps in polishing their talent in extra -curricular activities, said Prof S Fayaz Ahmad.
While welcoming the participants Dean Students Welfare Prof Neelofar Khan who is also the Chairperson of this year`s edition of Sonzal said that the festival has become an obsession amongst the youth ever since its first edition was launched in 2007 as the festival is an assimilation of the hidden talent of young boys and girls and provides a platform to the students to foster greater sense of togetherness and camaraderie.
Cultural Officer DSW Shahid Ali Khan who is also the organizing secretary of Sonzal 2012 presented vote of thanks on the occasion.
Giving details of the activities planned during Sonzal-2012 Khan added that competitions will be held in quiz, debate, elocution, poster making, painting, cartoon making, rangoli, clay modeling, on-spot photography, one act play, mimicry, classical, folk and instrumental music arenas and other categories.
Among those present on the occasion were Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty members, Principals of various colleges, participants of Sonzal-2012 and a large number of students of the University.
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