Urges greater focus on issues like Mental Health, Drug De-Addiction
Srinagar, Feb 23: Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad on Tuesday unveiled the poster of this year’s ‘Sonzal’, the varsity’s annual literary, art and cultural festival.
In his address on the occasion, Prof Talat said Sonzal is a great platform for students to showcase their talent in art, cultural and literary activities and also to promote the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Academic institutions have to lead from the front in nurturing the culture of holding such festivals and provide youth a platform to participate in debates, discussions, and various competitions in the spheres of art and culture,” he said, congratulating the Department of Students Welfare (DSW) for creating the rich legacy of organising ‘Sonzal’ every year.
“Students’ participation in literary and cultural activities not only leads to their personality development, but also enables them to de-stress themselves especially in the backdrop of the disturbances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, urging the DSW as well as student participants to have mental health and drug de-addiction as the focus of their themes for various activities/competitions during Sonzal.
Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir said Sonzal offers an opportunity for students to share their ideas and come up with solutions to a host of societal problems that people are faced up with.
“It is a platform for students to not only showcase their talent, but engage with each other and also with their counterparts in other academic institutions and build a strong consensus on issues and problems facing the society,” he said, assuring the university administration’s full support to such festivals that foster critical-thinking and academic leadership qualities among the students.
Dean of Students Welfare Prof Raies A Qadri said Sonzal 2020-21 will be conducted in line with the necessary SOPs governing Covid-19.
He said at least 20 events in areas of art, literary, music and theater will be held during week-long Sonzal, which will start on March 20.
The poster-release function was, among others, attended by Special Secretary to VC Dr Tanveer A Shah.
Cultural Officer and Organising Secretary of Sonzal, Shahid Ali Khan said the festival is a talent-hunt programme which includes competitions related to Debate, Elocution, Poetry, Painting, Poster, Cartoon, Collage-Making, Spot Photography, Mehandi Designing, Calligraphy, Ghazal Singing, Bollywood Singing, Kashmiri Folk Singing, Western Vocals and Instrumental, Folk And Classical Instrumental, Mimicry and Stand-up Comedy.
“For registration, students can log on to the Kashmir University website or scan the QR code which has already been circulated. All the performances are solo-events keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“For any queries or assistance, students can contact us via email [email protected] or on phone number 9419087200 or visit the office of DSW during the office hours. Not more than 500 students from colleges and universities across Kashmir will be registered for various competitions,” he said.
