“Duggar Darpan”: A Multi-Arts Festival inaugurated in the University of Jammu.

JAMMU, 10 March: “Utsaah,” the Clubs, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, inaugurated the ten day multi-arts festival “Duggar Darpan” on 10 March, 2023. The programme commenced with the formal welcome address by Prof. Satnam Kour, Chairperson, “Utsaah.” The Chief Guest for the occasion was Prof. Lalit Mangotra, Sahitya Akademi awardee and the function was presided over by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu.

Prof. Satnam Kour in her welcome address expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries who took out their precious time to participate in the function including, Prof. Rajnikant, DRS, Prof. Naresh Padha, DAA, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof. Prakash Anthal, DSW, and Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Director, DDE. She thanked Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of University of Jammu for conceptualising the idea of twelve clubs which will provide a platform to the students to express their creativity in a free and open-ended space beyond the structured classroom.

She expressed her indebtedness to Ms Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts for collaborating with the University of Jammu to organize “Duggar Darpan,” a unique multi-art festival.

This was followed by the release of the logo for “Utsaah,” the cluster of twelve clubs which was prepared by Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Coordinator, Painting Club. A certificate of appreciation was also presented to Mr Narinder Kumar, a PhD scholar of the Department of English, University of Jammu who won the “Naming Contest” of the clubs.

Prof. Lalit Magotra, in his address, emphasised the importance of artistic leadership and the role of universities in providing it. Getting nostalgic of his own time spent in the university, he expressed his gladness for being associated with “Utsaah.” Talking about the significance of translation club, he stressed how translation has the potential of breaking cultural and linguistic boundaries. He also assured of his support and participation in all the clubs in any capacity. He congratulated “Utsaah” for its “first flight” which he called a “mighty leap” in itself.

Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, in his address stressed the importance of taking education beyond the four walls of the classroom. He expressed his vision of an education system that gives credit to experiential learning. In his vision, “Utsaah” shall facilitate holistic education, in line with the motto of, “dissolving boundaries and evolving education.”

The event was followed by the signing of the board by the dignitaries as a symbol of beginning of the ten day multi-art festival. Among the constellation of dignitaries who graced the occasion were: Prof. Vishav Raksha, Chairperson, CCC, Prof. Suman Jamwal, Prof. Parmil Kumar, Dr. Shashi Prabha, Dr. Neeraj Sharma, SSVC, Dr. Sadaf Shah, Dr. Garima Gupta, Dr. Suvidha Khanna, Dr Pritam Singh, Dr Priya Dutta, Dr. Anil Gupta, Mr. Ravinder, and Mr. Harshawardhan. Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana presented the formal vote of thanks which was followed by the releasing of balloons.