Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: 30th North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival `Udghosh’ began today at Jammu University amid an impressive cultural procession through the City routes upto the campus.
Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the University, formally inaugurated the five-day Youth Festival in which around 1000 students from 25 universities in seven North Indian States are participating.
The participants would be competing in 25 events in the field of Music, Fine Arts, Dance, Drama and Literary Activities over the next five days. Winners and First Runner-Up would be eligible for participation in the forthcoming All India Inter-University Youth Festival.
While inaugurating the `Udghosh’, Mr Vohra said that such mega cultural events are immensely helpful in strengthening the bonds of unity in diversity and harmonious co-existence. “Such festivals provide an opportunity to the youth hailing from different cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds to meet, interact, understand and appreciate the wonderful diversities which exist in our country,” he said.
The Governor observed that institutions of higher learning are expected to facilitate co-curricular activities besides the academic and sports activities for promoting all round and balanced personality development of youth.
On the occasion, the Governor also released “UDGOSH”, a souvenir to commemorate this Youth Festival.
Earlier, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof RD Sharma also said that the youth festivals help to promote social, emotional, cultural growth of the country with a motive to impart the virtues of fraternity, equality and mutual co-operation and leadership qualities among the participants in all the spheres of life.
Sampson David, Joint Secretary, Association of Indian Universities (AIU), presented the history and motive behind organizing the Youth Festivals.
Prof Manoj Dhar, Registrar JU, highlighted the achievements of the University in both academics and cultural fields.
Prof Pankaj Srivastav, Dean Students Welfare delivered the welcome address while the formal vote of thanks was presented by Prof Parmeshwari Sharma, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee.
Prof Arun Patil, Observer AIU, Rakesh K Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, JU faculty members, Deans, Directors, officers, students and scholars were present during the inaugural function, which was held at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium.
The inaugural function concluded with presentation of an impressive group dance item depicting cultural flavour of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions of the State.
Earlier in the morning, the `Udghosh’ started with an impressive cultural procession, comprising of participating teams from the different universities. The cultural procession was flagged off at Parade Ground by K Rajendra, Director General of J&K Police and it passed through various routes of Jammu City before culmination at JU campus.
Enroute, the procession was welcomed by Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association, led by Baldev Khullar.
The inaugural function was followed by Quiz and Painting competitions on first day of the festival while a cultural extravaganza was also presented in the evening by Jammu University Alumni Association.
Mime, Mimicry, Western Solo, Western Group Song, Classical Instrument (Percussion), Classical Instrument (Non-Percussion), Photography and Cartooning events will be held tomorrow.
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