The NSS units in collaboration with NCC contingent of Government Degree College, Baramulla organized a series of events and activities in view of “Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav” on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence – India@75. August 15 next year will mark 75 years of freedom for India from the British rule and to celebrate this milestone, GDC Baramulla conducted several programmes and events during the month of March 2021 and dedicated them to country’s 75th anniversary of independence. The programs and events included a weeklong workshop on Research Methodology in Social Sciences and IPR between March 15 and 25, talk show on Placement Avenues in Psychology on March 15, weeklong Pre-admission Counselling Mela between March 23 and April 03, Plantation Drive to Improve the Green Cover on March 27, the ongoing Intercollege Volleyball tournament from March 27, and a workshop cum awareness on Reproductive Health and PCOS and also facilitated in COVID-19 vaccination drive in college campus on April 03, 2021, respectively. The aforementioned events and activities witnessed a great ardour and massive participation of students and faculty of the host college.The month long celebrations came to a close today with a daylong seminar on “We the People of India”. NSS volunteers, NCC cadets, students, and faculty of the host college attended the seminar. Prof. (Dr.) Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Principal of the college was the chief-guest and Prof. Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Head, Department of Political Science was the invited speaker on the occasion.Prof. Lone in his inaugural address welcomed the participants of the seminar and threw light on different phases of India’s struggle for independence from colonial powers. While referring to the medieval Indian history, Prof. Lone presented a picture of spirited Indian culture, which the colonial powers, under the pretext of trade and other things, tried to weaken to serve their personal and colonial interests.
He also alluded to the massacres and sacrifices offered by Indian freedom fighters, such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Subhash Chanra Bose, etc., that eventually win India its freedom on August 15, 1947 against the British rule. “The spirit of freedom ensures respect, dignity, and prosperity to individual and society at large”, said, Prof. Lone.Prof. Wani spoke and threadbare discussed fundamental rights guaranteed by Indian constitution in the context of theme of the seminar. He also gave a comprehensive overview of constitutional rights and provisions that eventually ensure equality before the law and equal protection of the law; prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds of faith, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and guarantee equality of opportunity to all or any citizens in matters concerning employment. He also alluded to intermittent temptations and provocations engulfing the valley in persistent chaos. “The emancipation and remedy lies in relying on the principles and philosophies of constitution under fundamental rights, which guarantees equality, freedom, protection from exploitation, religious and cultural rights”, said Prof. Wani. He also explained the relevance of fundamental duties under Article 51-A of the Indian constitution for a harmonious and progressive nation.Earlier Dr. Syed Masarat Geelani, NSS Program officer and Head, Department of Urdu presented a brief and crispy account of the philosophy and relevance of commemorating India’s 75th independence anniversary. Her eloquent and spell bound overview of the aforementioned theme was full of knowledge and wisdom. She also conducted and moderated the proceedings of the daylong seminar.Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr. A. R. Malik, Secretary, Staff Council and Head Department of Botany, Prof. A. M. Chalkoo, Convener, IQAC, and Prof Arshad Ahmad Yatoo, NSS Program officer and Head, Department of Computer Applications of the college. The student speakers who spoke on different aspects of the theme included Miss Aneesa Mirchal, Miss Sumanjeet Kour, Miss Ramandeep Kour, Miss Andleep Shafi, and Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Shah. It is pertinent to mention here that Miss Aneesa Mirchal, Miss Sumanjeet Kour, and Miss Ramandeep Kour bagged first, second, and third positions, respectively. The competing students were assessed for their oratory skills by the selected panel of experts including Ms. Tabish Majid, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Dr Kainat, Head, Department of Philosophy, and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad Bhat, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education.Prof. Lone felicitated the student speakers with certificates of merit besides a cash prize to three best speakers. The event reasoned out with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Kaiser Ahmad Dar, NSS Program Officer of the college.