Srinagar: The Inner Call Forum for Evolution, Development and Awareness, in collaboration with the Department of Student Welfare, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) and Hope Ray organized a one-day awareness program on ‘Mental Wellness & Youth’ on the university campus here on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, founder Vice-Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi, urged the students to have total commitment to their dreams and aspirations.
Prof Ranbir Singh gave the students his own example and said that he had been vice chancellor for many years now. he said that he came from a humble rural background, and had always believed in hard work and honesty. He also gave the students the example of Saumya Sharma, the hearing-impaired woman who had stood ninth in the IAS exam in 2017.
Delivering the presidential address, Vice Chancellor CUK Prof .Mehraj-ud-Din Mir spoke to the students about aiming high, and working hard to achieve their goals. He appreciated the efforts of the CUK Department of Student Welfare, Inner Call Forum for Evolution, Development and Awareness and Hope Ray for organizing programs for the personality building of the youth.
Students presented a short skit on the occasion, highlighting how alcohol and drugs can destroy an individual’s life.
Roma Wani, Chairperson of The Inner Call, said she was greatly pleased to see the honesty of the students during their interactions with the speakers. Wani said that honesty and hard work were the foundation stones for a successful life.
Secretary Inner Call Affan Yesvi said it was a consistent effort on the part of their organization to raise awareness regarding the major issues faced by the youth. He said studies had revealed that Kashmir faced an alarmingly high incidence of mental health disorders due to conflict situation.
Yesvi stressed that there should be no stigma attached to mental disorders, and the individuals suffering from it should opt for regular counseling. Inner Call offers counseling on mental health issues and how to deal with personal challenges at its central office located in Jawahar Nagar.
Deputy Dean Students Welfare,CUK Dr. S. Zahoor Geelani said students often face stress during exams. He said facing such stress was a normal factor, and the youth must face all challenges with a positive outlook.
Minhan Mehraj of Hope Ray said their organization was started by the youth of downtown Srinagar, after they observed high drug abuse among children and youngsters of their area. Others to speak on the occasion included social activitist and columnist Rajni Shaleen Chopra, Psychiatrist Dr Waris Zargar and Mudassir Aziz, In-Charge of the District De-addiction Centre at Anantnag.
Dr Zargar and Mudassir Aziz organized exercises involving students to show them how one can become a victim of habit, and how it is important to break free of negative habit patterns. Dr Zargar urged the students to always keep positive company and trust their parents in any matters that concerned or worried them.
About 180 students studying in Candid Higher Secondary School, Nowgam, Dr AGM’s City School, Nowgam, Fayaz Educational Institute, Nowgam, Islamic Public School Kanipora and Skylight Higher Secondary School, Nowgam and English Training Academy, Pampore, participated in the program.
The students who presented short speeches on the occasion included Beenish Tariq of Candid School, Rafiya Jan of Dr AGM’s City School, Shahbaz Shabir of FEI, Javeriah Samboo of IPS and Sahal bin Shabir of Skylight School.
The program was anchored by Meer Wahid and Meer Sabreen in a lively, spirited style. The interactions between the youth and the speakers added to the dynamic atmosphere of the program.
