#JAMMU: Sachin Kumar Vaishy assumed the charge as Deputy Commissioner Jammu from the incumbent Avny Lavasa here yesterday.

The outgoing Deputy Commissioner was accorded a warm farewell at a function attended by officers and staff of the DC office and Revenue Department including Additional District Development Commissioner, Ramesh Chander; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh; Additional Commissioner General and Assistant Commissioner Revenue.

Speaking on the occasion, Avny Lavasa talked about the challenges, and lessons learnt during her tenure as the DC Jammu. She remarked that Jammu serves as the foundation for pivotal activities at the Union Territory level, contributing a major portion to its revenue generation. “Alongside this, the district also receives its share of grievances, which requires coordination and teamwork for effective administration” she added.

Avny Lavasa expressed her deep appreciation for the dedicated officers and staff of the district, emphasising their relentless efforts in handling a substantial workload. She extended her heartfelt gratitude to her personal staff, which also includes drivers and security personnel, for their unwavering support throughout her tenure.

Avny Lavasa warmly welcomed her successor, Sachin Vaishy and conveyed her optimism for his leadership.

In response, Sachin Vaishya, the incoming DC, expressed his commitment to build upon the foundations laid by his predecessor. “We will work together, following in the footsteps of the former administrator to address the challenges and harness the strengths of Jammu for its collective betterment,” he stated.

The event concluded with expressions of goodwill from the district staff, including Patwaris and Girdwars, who extended their thanks to Avny Lavasa and wished her the best of luck for her future endeavours.

#PUNE: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today interacted with the Youth of Jammu Kashmir studying in Pune at an event organized by ‘Sarhad’ Civil Society group.

In his address, the Lt Governor shared the transformational journey of J&K over the past few years and highlighted the role of the young generation in the social and economic progress of the UT.

Jammu Kashmir is transforming and is on the move. Our Youth living and studying across the world are brand ambassadors of new J&K. Today our youth are realizing their true potential and contributing to nation-building, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor underlined the importance of developing scientific temper, critical thinking, creativity and nurturing the unique personality among the youth for their all-round development.

He appreciated the efforts of ‘Sarhad’ for working in collaboration with the District Administration Bandipora to transform Aragam village into a book village, and for their other initiatives like Valley of Knowledge, Health Village and Literary floating festival on Wular Lake.

He said, the ‘Pune for Kashmir’, a socio-cultural-educational exchange programme by Sarhad is bringing the people of the two regions closer and reflects the true spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

The Lt Governor invited the youth from Pune to visit Jammu Kashmir and experience the transformation of the UT.

At the event, the Lt Governor released a book titled “Lalla” on Yogini Lalleshwari authored by Ms Aruna Dhere. He congratulated the author for the excellent work and wished her success in future endeavours.

Vinod Tawde, National General Secretary, BJP; Sanjay Nahar, Founder Sarhad; prominent citizens from all walks of life, students and members of Sarhad and youth from J&K in large number were present on the occasion.

#JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the students of the joining batch of 2023 of #IITJammu at the inaugural session of the Foundation Program at Jagti Campus, today.

In his address on the occasion, the Lt Governor congratulated and extended his best wishes to the students embarking on a new journey. The world-class faculty here at IIT Jammu will nurture your talents to transform your dreams into reality, he added.

“India’s future offers immense opportunities for engineering careers. As the nation continues to invest in research and development, infrastructure and technological advancement, a plethora of opportunities await engineers,” the Lt Governor said.

He said, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister, India is on the move and is emerging as a technology and services hub powered by knowledge economy.

The ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives coupled with a burgeoning startup ecosystem, presents a fertile ground for young minds to make their mark and carve a successful career in engineering, he added.

He advised the students to explore new paths and keep re-inventing themselves to keep pace with the change happening around the world.

“We need engineers who will not be confined to the mundane, but who will think beyond textbooks and question the status quo and embrace challenges as opportunities. The expertise of the young engineers’ expertise will be instrumental in driving the mission of Make in India and Start Up India,” the Lt Governor said.

Citing examples of Japan and USA, the Lt Governor said the Engineering prowess of these countries has contributed to their growth and elevated their status in the world. He said, the world’s greatest powers are witness to the fact that great engineers have been instrumental in propelling those nations to unparalleled heights.

“India needs engineers who can address the challenges of urbanization, infrastructure and access to quality healthcare and education for all. Young engineers’ ideas and solutions can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society,” the Lt Governor said.

“India needs engineers who can collaborate globally, foster partnership with other countries and institutions to address complex global challenges. I strongly believe young engineers have the potential to not only make India self-reliant but also position it as a global leader,” he said.

The Lt Governor impressed on the educational institutions to create an environment, an education system that reflects today’s reality.

#JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Kailakh Sanskrit Ratna Puraskar ceremony, at Jammu.

At the ceremony organised by Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust, the Lt Governor presented this year’s Kailakh Sanskrit Ratna Puraskar to Param Pujya Mahamandleshwar Acharya Shri Swami Vishveshwar Anand Giri Ji Maharaj.

He expressed gratitude to the Mahamandleshwar Acharya Shri Swami Vishveshwar Anand Giri Ji Maharaj for his immense contributions towards promotion of Sanskrit and spiritual institutions.

Swami ji has a great vision for the development of the country. Youth must take inspiration from his life and teachings and dedicate themselves to preserve our tradition, culture and social values, the Lt Governor said.

It should be our collective responsibility to create a better society and contribute in enriching cultural heritage, he added.

In his address, the Lt Governor commended the endeavours of Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust and other organizations engaged in promotion of Sanskrit language.

“I have always emphasized on promoting Sanskrit as people’s language. As one of the oldest living languages of the world, Sanskrit offers a treasure of knowledge in science, medicine, literature and also language of existence. We must strengthen our efforts to popularize it,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor also shared the resolve of the Central Government and the UT Administration for protecting and preserving India’s glorious heritage.

“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for removing all traces of colonial mindset and to take pride in our roots to achieve the goal of developed India. We should feel proud of our heritage. It gave us golden period in the past and it will again make India the most powerful nation in the world,” the Lt Governor said.

He assured every possible assistance by the administration to organizations and individuals in their efforts to promote the ancient cultural values in the society.

Param Pujya Mahamandleshwar Acharya Shri Swami Vishveshwar Anand Giri Ji Maharaj, in his address, lauded the dedicated efforts of the Lt Governor for popularizing the Sanskrit language and giving special attention to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul.

Sham Lal Sharma, former Minister appreciated the UT administration for taking various initiatives for promotion of Sanskrit and developing places of religious importance in the UT.

Kapil Khanna, President Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Delhi also shared his views on the occasion and highlighted the need to promote Sanskrit language.

Students from Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan, Basohli presented the cultural programme in Sanskrit and staged a drama on Shankaracharya.

Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Ms Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Shakti Pathak, DIG; Mahant Rohit Shastri, President Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust; spiritual leaders; heads of religious organizations, prominent citizens and students were present on the occasion.

NEW DELHI: Underscoring the crucial need of promoting and preserving Dev Vani Sanskrit to enlighten the generations about their glorious heritage and ethos, Senior BJP leader Mr Devender Singh Rana today urged Lieutenant Governor Mr Manoj Sinha  to take with the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development the popular demand of establishing a Sanskrit University in the Utterbaini area of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Establishment of a Sanskrit University in this part of the country will be in consonance with India’s rich heritage, which will also encourage scholars to carry out research and disseminate most valued ancient literature and scriptures to wider audiences “, Mr Rana said while supporting the memorandum formulated by Mahant Rohit Shastri, President of Shri Kailakh Jyotish Vedic Sanasthan Trust for consideration of the government the issue pertaining to establishing Open Sanskrit University in Jammu.

Mahant Rohit Shastri, President Shri Kailash Jyotish Vedic Sanathan Trust  met Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana and State BJP General Secretary Vibodh Gupta at New Delhi and said that due to the lack of Sanskrit institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, Sanskrit students are not getting enough opportunities and facilities, especially the students of hilly and remote areas. He stressed the need for establishing Sanskrit Department in every institution in which subjects like Kashmir Shaivism, Shakta Paddhati, Siddhant Jyotish, Sanskrit grammar, Sanskrit literature like Mammat, Kalhan, Vilan etc. are included in the form of specialization.

With this, it will be very beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir, which is considered to be the homeland of Vedic culture and ancient Sanskrit. Along with this, the Sanskrit Ministry should be established in Jammu and Kashmir on the lines of Rajasthan state. He said Sanskrit language should have been made compulsory in the schools of Jammu and Kashmir from the first primary. Establishment of Jammu Kashmir Sanskrit Academy and Jammu Kashmir Sanskrit Sansthan on the lines of Uttar Pradesh. Higher education in Vedic literature is the need of the hour, he added

The memorandum of the Sanastha states that Sanskrit Scholars should get scholarship and reservation quota in jobs etc. He said Jammu and Kashmir has been the eternal center of Shaivism, as on this holy land the founder of Pratyabhijyadarshan, Acharya Abhinavagupta, Mahakavi Kalhan, Mahakavi Villhan, and many ancient Sanskrit sages have emerged. The Acharyas who had guided the path of uniting not only India but the whole world in the thread of unity with their karmic tenacity, the same virtuous J&K Vasundhara is getting extinct from Sanskrit, it adds.

#SRINAGAR: Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today inaugurated two day conference on ‘Gojri language in the contemporary world’.

The two day conference is being organised by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL, and brought together galaxy of scholars and experts deliberating the future of Gojri language and culture.

In his address, Dr. Shahid called for collective efforts to off-set challenges confronting the Gojri language and culture. He lauded the initiatives taken for holistic development of regional languages and culture.

In the post-inaugural session, noted writer and broadcaster, Gulab Din Tahir presented a paper on Gojri language. In his paper, GD Tahir said that Gojri language has centuries old past with a rich treasure of literature and poetry adding that it is one of the rich languages in Northern India.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Secretary JKAACL, Bharat Singh said that the objective of the conference is to take a holistic view of Gojri language in the backdrop of the challenges it is confronting and the opportunities that lay in its way. “It is very important to make our languages relevant to the modern times to ensure their survival and promotion”, he added.

As part of the 2-day event, music programmes and paper reading sessions were also held. The proceedings of the conference were conducted by Editor and Head, Gojri Wing, Dr. Shahnawaz.

The conference was attended by Salam ud Din Bajad, MK Waqar, Abdul Hamid Kasana, Ghulam Haider Badana, Javed Nizami, Mansha Khaki besides Abdul Gani Arif.