LG inaugurates 3-day north zone youth festival ‘KSHITIJ’ to promote Sanskrit

Katra: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the North Zone Youth Festival ‘KSHITIJ’ at Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra today.
The 3-day North Zone Youth Festival is being organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in collaboration with Central Sanskrit University. Sanskrit scholars of 10 institutes from seven states/UTs are participating in this unique Sanskrit scholars’ festival, an official press release informed.
It said the LG welcomed the Sanskrit scholars participating in the festival and exhorted them to contribute constructively in nation building.
“Sanskrit is not only one of the oldest living languages of the world but also the greatest treasure of classic literature and knowledge in science and technology. This festival is a perfect opportunity to make the young generation aware of values and ideals that Sanskrit possesses,” said the LG.
“North Zone Youth Festival will lead to a better understanding of the various aspects of Sanskrit studies and knowledge system. We are making efforts through flexible and non-formal Sanskrit courses to increase access of students to make it the language of the common man,” he added.
“Sanskrit has been the guiding force of our culture and knowledge economy. It is our collective responsibility to popularize the Sanskrit language and preserve the treasure of science, spirituality, philosophy and culture,” the LG observed.
The LG also lauded the efforts of various organizations and stakeholders like Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan, Mahant Rohit Shastri in promoting Sanskrit language in the UT.
Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami VishveshvaranandGiriji Maharaj, Member SMVDSB called for making collective efforts to promote Sanskrit and ensure that all sections of the society get the benefit of the inexhaustible storehouse of knowledge, science and thought.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Katra along with various campuses of Central Sanskrit University and Adarsh Maha Vidyalaya of Sanskrit, situated in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are participating in this mega event for the first time for the promotion of Sanskrit Language in J&K UT, it was informed.
Members of the Shrine Board — Dr Ashok Bhan; Kul Bhushan Ahuja; Dr Neelam Sareen; Suresh Kumar Sharma (retd Judge); Raghu K. Mehta and Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB Anshul Garg were present on the occasion.
Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Prof. Madan Mohan Jha, Director Shri Ranbir Campus, besides students, faculty members and staff of Shrine Board also attended the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, LG inaugurated Aerosol Winter School-2023 at Central University of Jammu today.
The winter school is being organized by Central University of Jammu under the aegis of National Knowledge Network to support National Clean Air Programme, an official press release informed.
It said speaking on the occasion, the LG termed the winter school as a vital initiative for developing scientific knowledge in achieving clean air & climate goals.
“In order to meet the objective of the National Clean Air Programme, this winter school will facilitate theory-based training & hands-on operational training of all stakeholders for atmospheric aerosol measurements,” said the LG.
“Clean air is the priority of the administration and the National Clean Air Programme should become a mass movement for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. It is also necessary that scientific research & its benefits reach the public & local institutions,” said the LG.
The LG highlighted the efforts being made under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the National Clean Air Program across the country.
“The world is looking at India to combat the challenges of climate change. Experts should work at the grassroots level and there should be coordination between various experts, academic & administrative institutions on capacity building and public outreach,” the LG observed.
Productive life of citizens & progress of the region depends upon the health of the environment. All stakeholders, Pollution Control Committee & ULBs must work together for effective implementation of Clean Air Program and to shape the climate future of Jammu Kashmir, the LG said.
Every citizen should discharge their responsibility towards nature and become “Green Warrior & Environment Soldier”. “We have to strengthen the monitoring system at grass root level by developing city action plans and micro action plans for local solutions,” noted the LG.
The LG also shared the significant steps taken by the administration for maintaining a balance between development and ecology.
Awareness campaign among common citizens at Panchayat level by the Forest Department and initiatives like ‘Har Gaon Haryali’, ‘Ped Lagao Beti Ke Naam’ has encouraged Jan Bhagidari and infused a sense of responsibility in the society to work towards environment protection, the Lt Governor observed.
City-specific strategy was formulated under NCAP guidelines for Jammu and Srinagar. Our focus should be on filling the gaps through policy formulation, capacity building, training program and extending its maximum benefits to Jammu Kashmir Pollution Control Committee and ULBs, noted the LG.
The LG urged the National Knowledge Network to cooperate in increasing the technical capabilities of concerned institutions in Jammu and Kashmir and assured all the necessary assistance from the UT administration.
The LG asked the Pollution Control Committee & ULBs to become an integral part of this winter school.
Hands-on training on instrumentation and analytical techniques for atmospheric aerosol measurements and source apportionment studies will provide conceptual knowledge on methods of chemical speciation and source apportionment of aerosols, the LG observed.
He further advised the Jammu Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, ULBs and Central University to work on a city action plan and work out a strategy to strengthen the monitoring mechanism at the grass root level.
Central University should organize capacity building and outreach programs with focus on clean air, the LG added.
Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary and Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, Forests Department, highlighted the useful impact of the discussion and studies to be conducted during the hands-on training program in the Winter School.
Prof Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Convener, National Knowledge Network for National Clean Air Programme briefed on the aims and objectives of the programme.
Prof Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor Central University Jammu, experts, deans and faculty members of the University were present on the occasion.