SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 02: To commemorate and honour Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of peace and service, the University of Kashmir (KU) on Wednesday organised a series of events to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, Bapu’s birth anniversary. The event, organised by the varsity’s Department of Students Welfare (DSW), aimed at promoting Mahatma’s timeless ideals of truth, non-violence, and selfless service.
KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan, who inaugurated the celebrations, emphasised the continued relevance of Gandhian principles in today’s world. “Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha, truth, and non-violence remain as powerful now as they were in his time,” Prof Khan said. She further stressed the importance of the younger generation embracing these values in shaping a just and peaceful society. She reiterated that educators must inspire students not only to seek knowledge but to cultivate the courage and compassion necessary to drive meaningful change.
KU Registrar, Prof Naseer Iqbal, highlighted Gandhiji’s approach to social change, which focuses on compassion, patience, and community involvement. “Gandhiji’s approach should inspire students not only in their academic pursuits but in how they engage with society’s problems,” he said, adding that educators have a responsibility to instill these values in students from a young age.
In his welcome address, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Shamim Ahmad Shah, termed the event “a humble tribute to the Father of the Nation.” He emphasized the significance of student participation, saying, “Through such activities, we keep his legacy alive and inspire our students to contribute positively to society.”
The inaugural ceremony was followed by various activities at the varsity’s Youth Club, where students, faculty, and staff participated. Key events included a conference on “Satyagraha: The Power of Truth and Non-Violence,” featuring participants from different university departments. Additionally, students from the departments of Social Work, Shri Pran Krishan Kaul Institute of Music and Fine Arts, KU Youth Club, and the Women’s Studies Centre showcased their artistic talents through sketches and posters depicting Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and non-violence.
A plantation drive, organised in collaboration with the University Landscape Development Division (ULDD), witnessed active participation from students and faculty. Saplings were planted within the premises of Gandhi Bhawan by the KU Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Dean Students Welfare, and other faculty members, contributing to a greener campus environment. A campus-wide cleanliness drive was also conducted, with hostel boarders, university staff, and the Health and Hygiene Division working collectively to maintain the campus’s cleanliness.
The offices of ULDD, Proctorial Organisation, Department of Students Welfare, Estates Division, and the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) coordinated to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Cultural Officer, Dr Shahid Ali Khan, conducted the proceedings of the event.
Meanwhile, the varsity’s MA and MAK Boys’ hostels organised cleanliness drives to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti. Students, hostel management, and over 40 volunteers engaged in waste collection, clean-up campaigns, and awareness sessions, contributing to the overall spirit of the day.
