Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 17: The Department of Urdu, University of Jammu and the Manuscript Conservation Centre, Shashvat Art Gallery and Museum, Jammu Regional and Research Centre of National Mission for Manuscript, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, jointly celebrated “World Heritage Day ” today on the theme “Conservation of Manuscripts.”
The event featured exhibition and one-day workshop, led by expert conservators from the Manuscript Conservation Centre, operating under National Mission for Manuscripts, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi.
The exhibition-cum-workshop was inaugurated by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to Chief Minister of J&K while Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, presided over the function. The presidium was also shared by Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, Head, Department of Urdu, JU and Dr Suresh Abrol, Coordinator of the Manuscript Conservation Centre.
Nasir Aslam Wani emphasized the pivotal role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in redefining the educational landscape by placing language, culture, and the arts at the core of learning. He urged students and scholars to recognize the immense value of Indian languages like Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Sanskrit. “These are not just mediums of communication-they are carriers of our history, our emotions, and our identity,” he said.
Prof. Umesh Rai called for a fundamental reimagining of how language education is approached in the modern era. Expressing concern over the declining interest in traditional languages like Urdu, Dogri, and Punjabi, he urged academic departments to think beyond the conventional blackboard model and focus on making languages relevant, practical, and employment-oriented.
The resource persons, including Dr Suresh Abrol, Kailash Kumar, Kewal Krishan Kotwal and Romesh Chander conducted training sessions on the fundamentals of manuscript conservation.
Participants, comprising students, scholars, and faculty members from colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, engaged as trainees in the program. Dr Abdul Rashid Manhas conducted proceeding of the program while vote of thanks was presented by Dr Chaman Lal.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
