The UT level Kala Utsav -2023 commenced at Teacher Bhawan Jammu with a grand Inaugural ceremony. The two day art fiesta has been organised by the Samagra Shiksha, Department of School Education J&K. Dr. Tassaduq Hussain, Director School Education Kashmir, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj, Director School Education Jammu Ashok Kumar Sharma inaugurated the two day cultural extravaganza showcasing the extraordinary talent of students of various schools of the Jammu and Kashmir UT.
Kanta Devi, Special Secretary, Manisha Sareen, Secretary JK BOSE, Anu Behl Special Secretary, Parshotam Kumar, Joint Director Planning, Subha Mehta, Joint Director SED, besides officers from School education Department Bilal Rashid Deputy Director Planning, Jagdeep Padha, CEO Jammu, Mamta Sharma, DDP, Monika Bhandari, CAO and others also graced the occasion.
The programme started with the National Anthem followed by traditional lamp lighting and an ethnic Dogra Turbans (Pagris) tying ceremony. Sarswati Vandhana by students of GHSS Shastri Nagar was followed by a scintillating show of cultural performances reflecting the cultural flavours of different socio-geographical regions of the J&K.
The Project Director Samagra Shiksha, in his address, said that students belonging to different districts, who performed at their best at Divisional Level Kala Utsav Competitions, are participating in the 2 Day event to showcase their mesmerizing performances.
A total of 40 performances are to be showcased during the event. He said that the best among them under various categories of art forms, one male and one female (in each category), shall be shortlisted for National level event which is scheduled in the month of December, 2023 at New Delhi.
Project Director, Samagra Shiksha further reiterated that Samagra Shiksha focuses more on holistic approach towards providing quality education integrated with Art & Culture, Sports and other domains in alignment with New Education Policy-2020.
He said that, Kala Utsav encompasses a complete process of identifying, exploring, practicing, evolving and understanding our tangible and intangible cultural expressions, which enables the participants to live the complete cultural experience besides enhancing variegated skills of the participants and preparing them as ambassadors of our culture.
He rendered his wishes to participants for their performances, so that best can be displayed on a national level. He also informed that, in 2022, 02 Students of the J&K bagged positions in the National Level Kala Utsav Competition held at Orissa* and this year, more students shall bring laurels to the UT of J&K by winning the prizes at national Level.
Dr. Tassaduq Hussain, Director School Education Kashmir in his address, congratulated all the participants and encouraged them to put their best efforts for final performances at the National level. He also informed the house that Government of India has been implementing various schemes for providing better platforms to children for showcasing their talent in different fields.
He stressed upon teachers and parents to avail maximum benefit out of these schemes for overall nurturing of children.Ashok K. Sharma Director School Education Jammu said that, young Talent needs to be explored and School Education Department shall continue the exercise in the coming days as well.
He appreciated the efforts of the Samagra Shiksha and both the Directorates of School Education, for the selections made at Zonal, District & Divisional level. He also said that this is the platform for the Students to perform and to show their talent and urged the Teachers to make students aware of the same.
The live telecast of the programme was streamed on official You tube Channel and virtually attended by all the Students and Teachers of various Schools across the UT. The dignitaries also declared open an array of cultural activities including Art exhibition, traditional craft display and interactive performances of students in various art forms.
Senior officers, among others State Coordinators Prem Nath, Girja Challu, Ajeet Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Oneel Bhat, Ashwani Sharma, Dy. CEO Rakesh Sharma, DEPO, Billoria and Nodal officer, Dr. Naveen Katoch also attended the event.Mahwish Goni conducted the proceedings of the Programme.