The team comprising Vini Mahajan of the Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu, and Shreya Raina of the Government College for Women, Parade, Jammu, won the Silver Rolling Trophy, instituted by Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, at the 4th Annual Inter-State (Northern Zone) Declamation Contest, which was organized by the Department of Higher Education at the Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu. The Runner-Up Trophy was bagged by the team comprising of Akanksha Rajput of the Government College Of Education Jammu and Vishal Pathania of Government Degree College Kathua.The topic of the Declamation Contest was “Clamour for Rights of citizens: What about Duties.” Mr. N. N. Vohra, the Governor, was the Chief Guest, Professor M. P. Isher, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University a Special Guest and Mr. Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Higher Education presided over the Valedictory Session. Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, was present on the occasion.
The Governor observed that while the Constitution of India provides an eminent position to the fundamental and human rights of the citizen, there is extremely inadequate awareness of the fundamental duties enshrined in our Constitution. He said that Rights and Duties must go hand in hand if we are to build a just and equitable welfare State and if we want our Country to progress.Stressing the usefulness of debating contests, the Governor observed that such activities enable the students to improve their articulation and enhances their potential to be successful while appearing for interviews.Governor said that this Rolling Trophy was instituted 4 years back with the assumption that boys and girls from Valley, Leh, Kargil and neighbouring states could participate in this contest. As it is not possible, due to climatic and other factors, for this annual contest in Jammu to attract a large enough number of students from other parts of the State, it had been decided to expand the horizon of this contest and another Rolling Trophy has been instituted by him to enable the Government College for Women, Srinagar, to organize an annual inter-State Debate during the summer season.
Governor congratulated Mrs. Kiran Bakshi, Principal of the Government College for Women Gandhinagar, and her colleagues for the successful organization of the event.Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Higher Education, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for instituting the Rolling Trophy. He said that this contest, conceptualized by the Governor, had emerged as an important and popular event among the students, adding that a good number of participants from the various Northern Zone States had participated and brought true competitive spirit in this contest through their well prepared approach to the given topic.Later, the Governor presented the Rolling Trophy to the winning team and also gave prizes to the runner-up team. He presented cash prize of Rs. 11,000 to Vini Mahajan of Government Degree College Gandhi nagar, for being adjudged first; Rs. 7,500 to Akanksha Rajput of Government College of Education Jammu, for being adjudged second and Rs. 5,000 to Shreya Raina Of Government Degree College Parade for standing third in the contest. He also gave away consolation prizes to Vishal Pathania of Government Degree College Kathua and Vivek Tariyal of DIT College Dehradun, Uttranchal. Besides, inpidual mementoes and participation certificates were given to all the contestants.
Governor also presented mementos to Professor Ved Ghai, Professor Zeenat Ara, Professor Zahurruddin, Professor Varun Tripathi and Mrs Seema Shekhar Additional Advocate General Jammu and Kashmir High Court who were the Jury members on the occasion and to Mr. Dalip Singh and Professor Zahoor Ahmad Shah who were the Observers of the Declamation Contest. The Governor and the First Lady were honoured on the occasion by being presented mementos.Dr. Kiran Bakshi, Principal, Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu, in her welcome address gave details of the participants of the Declamation Contest. She said that a total of 35 students from Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir had participated in this contest. Professor Nutan Reusotra, Nodal Principal, GGM Science College, Jammu, presented a Vote of Thanks.Earlier, students of the College presented a captivating cultural programme which included a fusion dance representing the three regions of the State. Mr. Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmed, Secretary Higher Education Department Professor T.A Kawoos, Director Colleges, Principals of various colleges, college teachers and students were present on the occasion.