Stressing on the need to inculcate awareness among youth about the rich cultural heritage of the state, Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta today said that passing on this heritage to youth is the only way to preserve and protect our legacy.He said this while addressing a large gathering of students, educationists and parents at the culmination event for ‘20 days Youth Cultural Workshop’ organized by Ministry of Culture, Government of India at Govt PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat, Minister for Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, and Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education Asiea Naqash were also present on the occasion.Kavinder Gupta urged the students to take active interest in learning about the state’s culture and said that participation in such activities helps develop a strong, confident, vibrant character among youth.
The Speaker also emphasized on making students learn and experience various cultural facets of our state, various languages, arts, traditions and imbibing in them a deep cultural awareness besides love and respect for their heritage.Appreciating the move by the Union Ministry of Culture for organizing such a talent hunting programme in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat said that such events provide opportunities to the young artists showcase their hidden talent.He said there is no dearth of talent in the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, but they need right opportunities and platform to perform and get attention of the audience. Many artists from Jammu and Kashmir in different fields of art and culture have excelled and earned name and fame in the country and abroad, and brought laurels for the State, the Minister added.He called upon the organizers to host more such workshops in different parts of the State to promote the local art and culture.Minister for Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, underscoring the need to preserve state’s diverse heritage and culture, said that such workshops play a vital role in inculcating pride among youth for their heritage.He further said culture is the identity of any individual and area and all out efforts must be made to preserve that to keep the younger generation connected with their roots.
Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education Asiea Naqash, in her address, stressed on the importance of cultural and intellectual engagement of youth saying that involvement of children and youth in cultural activities helps in channelizing their energy towards a right perspective.The Minister urged the students to make focused efforts on their education along with healthy participation in co-curricular activities and sports. She also urged the students to remember their heritage and culture and participate in ensuring that rich traditions pass the test of time and survive.Vice Chancellor Cluster University Jammu Prof Anju Bhasin, Principal Govt PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Kaushal Smotra, besides Prof Ekta Gupta, Prof Nidhi Sharma were also present on the occasion. During the programme, the dignitaries felicitated the participants with certificate of merits.About 300 students from various educational institutions of Jammu participated in this 20-day workshop. The workshop was organized with an aim to educate young children of J&K about folk culture of the state, including Ruff dance, Dogri dance, etc.It was also informed on the occasion that similar workshops will also be organised in different parts of the state including Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Leh, and many areas of Kashmir Valley.