Symposium on Padma Sachdev, meet with Dogri Writers, Books & Handicraft Exhibition marks celebration of Iconic Week at GDC Udhampur

UDHAMPUR :  In the continuity of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, Government Degree College Udhampur organised an Inter-College Symposium on ‘Dogri Sahit Vetch Padma Sachdev Hundaa Yogdaan.’

Chief Guest on the occasion was Padamshree Prof. Shiv Nirmohi, while Sahitya Academy, Awardee Prakash Premi Ji was the Guest of Honour. Sahitya Academy Awardees Abhishaap and Sunil Mehra were special invitees.

The inaugural session started with the floral and vermillion welcome of the Chief guest and all other invited guests followed by Lighting of the Traditional lamp and invocation of Goddess Saraswati by the students of music department under the guidance of Prof. Samosh Kumar.

The Principal and Patron Prof. Subash Chander Sharma formally welcomed the guests present and apprised about the celebration of Iconic Week festival under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav for the all-inclusive approach of the Union Government to promote the indigenous languages, cultures and the stakeholders thereof.

Speaking on the occasion, Padmashree Prof. Shiv Nirmohi lauded the initiative of the Government and the college to roll-out the Iconic week celebration and bring on-board Dogri culture and language which is a must to usher in an era of originality and diversity leading to integrity of the Nation. He applauded all the participants for their deep insight into the life and literary pursuits of Late Padma Shri Padma Sachdev, with whom he had many live interactions. He appealed to the youth to be the torch-bearers of Dogri Language, literature and Culture.

Earlier, Prof. Prakash Premi and Abhishaap expressed their views on . Padma Ji and also encouraged all present to shun the inferiority complex about Dogri culture and language.

In the Symposium, the students from GDC Ramnagar, GDC Chenani, GDC Majalta, GDC Neeli-Nallah, GCW Udhampur and the host College presented their varied views. Diksha Thakur of GDC Majalta, Madhu Sharma of GDC Chenani, and Sakshi Attri of GDC Majalta secured first, second and third position respectively.

Prof. Tara Nath, Prof. Sukham Chand and Jagdeep Dubey (Renowned Dogri writer and Dramatist) were the adjudicators for the programme.

In the valedictory session, the winners were awarded prizes and all the participants in the symposium along with cadets of NCC and presenters of Sarasvati Vanadana were given certificates of participation. The College also honoured all the invited Dogri Writers namely Thakur Das Symthyal, Sham Agnihotri, Ajay Anant, Rekha Thakur, Neetika Neetu, and Devender Thakur.

Meanwhile, the Chief Guest also inaugurated an Exhibition of Books of the Dogri writers of Udhampur along with the four stalls of Local products of Handicrafts and handloom. The NCC Cadets under the command of SUO gave the Pilot Escort to the Chief Guest during the programme.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. Pankaj Sharma and Convened by Prof. Imtiaz Shahid. The programme was attended by faculty from all Degree Colleges of Udhampur viz. Prof. Suresh Dogra, Dr. Kamaldeep Kour, Prof. Suresh Kumar, along with faculty of host college namely Prof. Babu Lal Thakur, Prof. Manisha Kohli, Prof. G.R Verma, Prof. Kamal Kishore, Dr. Ved Kumar, Prof. Satish Kumar, Prof. Sanjay Kumar, Prof. Samta Sharma, Dr. Ajay Sharma, Prof. Rajan Bharti, Prof. Pooja Dheman,Prof. Manju Bala, Dr. Ravinder Sharma, Prof. Sonia Raj, Dr. Swarn Singh, Dr. Anita Sharma, PTI Shashi Sharma and others.

Technical coordination was provided by Dr. Naresh Sharma, Prof. Rakesh Kumar, Prof. Shaji Khan,Dr. Yash Pal Sharma,Prof. Sanjit Singh and Prof. Sanjeev Kumar.

The formal vote of thanks was presented by Prof. Romesh Kumar Atri.

The programme concluded with a Dogri-Dhaam hosted by the college.