Unity in Diversity: Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu celebrates 77th Independence Day

Udhampur, August 15: Udhampur Campus(Garnai Lotta), University of Jammu celebrated 77^th Independence Day on 15^th August, 2023 with great patriotic favour and zeal.Under the patronage and leadership of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Professor Umesh Rai, the national tricolor was hoisted by Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector Udhampur Campus accompanied by special guests, staff members, students, non-teaching staff and the members of the civil society.

Speaking to the jubilant and patriotic audience, Prof. Sharma exhorted the young people to recognize the worth of their nation’s hard-won freedom and to dedicate their lives to building a progressive nation. He emphasised the significance of all the security forces for providing for our comfort as they constantly secure our boundaries. “Since achieving independence in 1947, the nation has made incredible strides in a number of fields, including agriculture, education, sports, advanced technology, space exploration, and economic development. Dr. Sharma further added that India now has the fifth-largest economy in the world and strives to become the third-largest economy in the world under the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “We are the largest democracy in the world, we have riches of traditional, languages, the influence of youth behind us, we have fertile soils and best of the natural resources, and we have a diverse and harmonious culture. These are all signs that India will eventually become a developed country”. He hoped.

The staff, students, and members of the Udhampur Campus Garnai Lotta community performed a variety of cultural acts. Maulshree (Mimusops elengi) and camphor, two heritage plants, were planted in honour of the country’s bravest men and women.

Special Guest of this occasion, Dr. Kiran Sharma, while greeting the audience on Independence Day, advised the young generation to revive their traditional values (storylistening by grandparents, knowledge about traditional values and avoidance of cell phones). She encouraged the audience for blood donation as she herselfdonated the blood for more than 60 times.Sh. Om Prakash Vidyarthi, Former PCCF, J&K spoke on the valour and supreme sacrifices of various freedom fighters who sacrificed their own lives for theindependence ofmotherland.

Earlier Dr. Jyotishna (Lecturer, Commerce) extended a welcome to all the dignitaries, faculty members, members of civil society and students.Dr Mamta presented the vote of thanks. Others present on the occasion include Dr. Ritika Sambyal, Dr. Kamini Dutta, Mr. Nikhil Khajuria, Dr. Shilpa Gupta, Dr, Sunita Kumari, Mrs. Taruna Dubey, Dr. Jatinder Kour), non-teaching Staff, students and local community of Garnai-Lotta. The function ended with distribution of sweets amongst the gathering.