As part of the observance of National Road Safety Month, Government Degree College Kathua, in collaboration with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), Traffic Police Rural Jammu, and the District Administration, Kathua, today organized a Symposium on Road Safety in the college auditorium.
The event was graced by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rakesh Minhas, as the Chief Guest, and SSP Traffic, Rural Jammu, Girdhari Lal Sharma, as the Guest of Honour. The symposium commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp and a rendition of Saraswati Vandana.
The Chief Guest and other dignitaries were warmly welcomed by Dr. Sanjay Karlupia, HoD Geology, who applauded the district administration’s efforts to enhance road safety and described the Deputy Commissioner as a role model for the younger generation.
In his address, the DC Kathua highlighted the importance of educating society on safety measures at grassroots levels to reduce road accidents. He urged students to adhere to traffic rules and become ambassadors for road safety in their communities.
The Deputy Commissioner also congratulated the college authorities, MVD, and Traffic Police for organizing this impactful awareness initiative. A pledge on road safety was administered during the event.
SSP Traffic Rural Jammu informed that Kathua district have reported 91 deaths due to road accidents in the year 2024 and use of Mobile during Driving is major contributory in leading to these accidents.
He appealed to participants to take all Traffic rules seriously and adhere to it for their individual safety as well as the safety of the pedestrians. The symposium featured a competition in which 12 students from various degree colleges in Kathua district participated.
The jury, comprising the ADC, Kathua, DSP Traffic, Associate Professor from the Department of Botany, and Prof. Ambika Rajput, adjudged the following winners: The First Prize was bagged by Vishal Gupta, Second Prize by Rahul Sharma and Third Prize was clinched by Sumit Kumar all students of GDC Kathua.
The event saw active participation from members of the Literary/Debate/Symposium Committee, NSS volunteers, and NCC cadets. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Yash Paul Sharma, Staff Secretary, and was expertly anchored by Kanika Sharma and Nikita Sharma.
Prominent faculty members, including Prof. Shalini Sharma, Prof. Neelam Baru, Prof. Ravinder Kour, Prof. Rupinder Kour, Prof. Shivani Kotwal, Dr. Kulbir Singh, Dr. Pinkey, Prof. Arvind, Dr. Daya Ram, Dr. Partima Sangra, and several non-teaching staff, attended the event.