Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 6: Governor N.N.Vohra, visited University of Kashmir to attend the “Essay Writing Competition Awards Presentation Ceremony”, here today.
The State Level Essay Writing Competition-2014, was organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages under its “Talent Hunt Scheme”.
The Awards were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners from among the near 500 competitors at the School, College and University levels. Three consolation prizes were also awarded at each of these three levels. The Awards comprised cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
Governor congratulated all the Award winners and complimented Dr. Aziz Hajini, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages for materializing an idea which was mooted by him in 2012 to organize such competitions for encouraging the balanced development of the youth in J&K. Observing that the students have to play an important role in the maintenance of societal harmony the Governor stressed the need for providing multiple opportunities to the youth so that they can develop the grit and capacity to successfully shoulder their future responsibilities in regard to tasks of nation building.
The Governor pointed to the need for providing a suitable platform to youth for freely discussing and voicing their concerns on all important current issues and matters relating to ethical values, morality, culture, history and religion. He expressed the hope that newspapers and magazines would provide dedicated space to enable students to express their views and voice their concerns on salient topics. He appealed to the media to assist the upcoming generation in contributing to objective debates and discussions.
Governor recalled that he had some years ago instituted a Silver Rolling Trophy for Annual Inter-State (Northern Zone) Declamation Contests being organized by leading colleges. He had presented such Trophies to the Government Colleges for Women at Jammu and Srinagar and, later, to the Universities at Jammu and Srinagar. He observed that the idea behind instituting these trophies was to provide an opportunity to the students of each of the three regions of the State to compete with students from the Northern Zone States and debate their views on topics which are relevant for the rapid socio-economic development, particularly in the context of the J&K State. He expressed satisfaction that this Declamation Contest had settled down well in Jammu and in this context, lauded the efforts put in by the Higher Education Department and the Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu.
The Governor observed that sports, essay competitions, debates, declamations and other such competitive events should be given high encouragement from school to the University levels and efforts should be made to ensure the widest possible participation of students from the remote areas of the State.
The welcome address, on the occasion, was given by Dr. Aziz Hajini, Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages; while the Vote of Thanks was presented by Dr. Javed Rahi, Chief Editor, Gojri. Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir; and Prof. Mohd. Ashraf Wani, Dean Academic Affairs, KU, shared their views about usefulness of organizing such competitions.
Among those present were noted academicians, writers, prominent citizens and students.