Shahid Ali Khan, Cultural Officer , University of Kashmir is a dynamic face of University of Kashmir especially when it comes to world of cultural and literary activities.
In an exclusive interview with the Heaven Mail he talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
Q.1. Tell us a bit about performance of Kashmir University students in recently concluded North Zone?
A.Our Team participated in around 20 events and won eight award in the 36th Inter-University North Zone Youth Festival, organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU’) New Delhi hosted by Jammu University our students won awards in Elocution, western vocal solo, clay modelling, installation, collage, cultural procession, fine arts, folk orchestra.
Q.2 What is plan of cultural and literary activities in 2023 for KU?
A. The University is dedicated to providing opportunities for its students to participate in cultural and literary activities. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan, Varsity’s Registrar Dr. Nisar a Mir, and the Dean Students Welfare Prof. Aneesa Shafi are all providing their support and guidance in organizing various events such as debates, symposia, youth festivals etc. This year we are reviewing the youth parliament/ mock parliaments activities, we will also focus on field visits, and Mega youth festival, (Sonzal-23) in August only. In addition, the university plans to connect students from its satellite campuses and affiliated/constituent colleges, select students for Zonal, National, and International Level competitions, and interactions for the session 2023
This year, the university is also hosting the Y-20 consultation summit in May. The Y-20 Consultation Summit is a platform for young leaders and professionals from around the world to come together and discuss pressing global issues. The summit will focus on the theme of “CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND SUSTAINABILITY- A WAY OF LIFE”. Participants will engage in a series of discussions and workshops aimed at exploring innovative solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. The university has a long-standing tradition of promoting academic excellence and intellectual discourse. We are confident that the university’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence will provide an ideal setting for the summit.
Our Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nilofer is keen to see the vibrant youth take the lead in shaping the future of our society. She believes that the Y-20 Consultation Summit is a valuable opportunity for young leaders and professionals to come together, share their ideas, and develop innovative solutions to the challenges we face.
We are committed to providing a supportive environment for young people to thrive and succeed at Kashmir University. We believe that the university has a vital role to play in promoting intellectual curiosity and creativity, and we are eager to see the outcomes of this summit.
The university’s commitment to cultural and literary activities is commendable, and students should take full advantage of these opportunities to broaden their horizons, enhance their skills, and foster a sense of community and belonging.
Q. 3 Your stress on importance of cultural and literary activities for students?A.Dear Rameez, participating in cultural and literary activities can offer a multitude of benefits to students, such as, “enhanced creativity and self-expression” activities such as creative writing, poetry, drama, music, and art allow students to express themselves creatively and freely, helping them develop their communication and self-expression skills. Literary activities require students to analyze and interpret texts and understand complex ideas, which helps them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Cultural activities such as music, dance, and food festivals expose students to different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, promoting diversity and inclusion. Cultural and literary activities often require students to collaborate and work together towards a common goal, which helps them develop teamwork, leadership, and social skills. Engaging in cultural and literary activities can provide a healthy outlet for stress relief, promoting positive mental health and well-being.Engaging in cultural and literary activities can be a great way to de-stress and improve mental health. These activities can provide a sense of purpose, boost self-esteem, and improve cognitive functioning. It’s crucial to promote and support these types of activities, particularly among young people who may be at a higher risk for mental health issues and substance abuse. Providing access to community centers, libraries, and other cultural institutions can help ensure that individuals have the resources they need to engage in these types of activities.Q 4 . How are you helping students to get desired exposure through activities?A.Well dear Rameez, there are several ways we are helping students get desired exposure through cultural literary activities:We conduct educational trips to cultural institutions, historical places out side J&K which help students learn about different cultures, history, and art forms. These experiences are enriching and inspiring, and provide students with a deeper understanding of the world around them. In addition to providing new exposure and learning opportunities, educational tours can also help students develop valuable skills such as independence, problem-solving, and cultural sensitivity. By exposing students to new environments and situations, you can help them build confidence and adaptability, which are important skills for success in today’s globalized world.Inviting authors, poets, and artists to speak to students provide them with a unique perspective on creative expression and the creative process. Guest speakers also share their experiences and provide advice and guidance to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. Encouraging students to participate in cultural events such as poetry, art exhibits, and theater productions which help them develop their skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Participating in these events also help students connect with others who share their interests and provide a sense of community. Cultural club provides students with a space to explore their interests and share their talents with others. Providing students with access to resources such as musical instruments helps them explore their interests and develop their skills. Having access to these resources can also help students who may not have the means to pursue these activities outside of university or college. Overall, by encouraging students to participate in cultural literary activities, we help them develop their creativity, gain exposure to new ideas and perspectives, and build a sense of community. These experiences can be transformative and can have a positive impact on their personal and academic lives.Organizing youth festivals and sending winning teams to participate in zonal, national, and international youth festivals can be a great way to provide students with exposure to different cultures and art forms. Youth festivals can be a platform for young people to showcase their talents, learn from others, and build relationships with peers from different parts of the country or world.Q 5 Are female students too participating in cultural and literary events?I am pleased to inform you that female students at our campus have been actively participating in cultural activities and have won more awards than male students.Over the past year, our university has organized several cultural events, including music competitions, dance competitions, and literary competitions. We have been delighted to see so many of our students participate in these events and showcase their talents. What is particularly noteworthy is the number of female students who have been actively involved in these events. Not only have they participated in large numbers, but they have also shown exceptional talent and dedication, resulting in them winning more awards than their male counterparts.This trend is a testament to the diversity and inclusiveness of our institution, where female students are given equal opportunities to excel in all areas, including cultural activities. Our institution is committed to providing a supportive environment for all students to pursue their passions and develop their talents.We believe that cultural activities are an essential part of a student’s overall development, and we are proud to see our female students excel in this area. We hope to see more students, both male and female, participate in future events and showcase their talentsQ. 6 Your message to students ?I want to emphasize the importance of extracurricular activities in the academic journey, particularly in light of the new National Education Policy (NEP). The NEP recognizes the crucial role that extracurricular activities play in students overall development, and encourages schools and universities to provide a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved in these activities.Participating in extracurricular activities can provide a host of benefits that go beyond the classroom. These activities can help students develop new skills, build relationships with peers and mentors, and gain valuable experience that can help them stand out when they enter the job market. Whether they’re interested in sports, cultural activities, community service through NSS or leadership programs Like Debates and youth parliaments, there are countless opportunities for students to get involved and make a difference. By participating in extracurricular activities, they can learn new things, develop their talents, and grow as a person.I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities and get involved in activities that interest them. Not only will they gain valuable experience and skills, but they’ll also have the chance to make new friends and have fun along the way.Universities and , colleges are not just about getting good grades and degree – it’s also about exploring your interests, developing your passions, and building a well-rounded foundation for your future. So, go ahead and get involved in extracurricular activities – you won’t regret it!
Q. 3 Your stress on importance of cultural and literary activities for students?
A.Dear Rameez, participating in cultural and literary activities can offer a multitude of benefits to students, such as, “enhanced creativity and self-expression” activities such as creative writing, poetry, drama, music, and art allow students to express themselves creatively and freely, helping them develop their communication and self-expression skills. Literary activities require students to analyze and interpret texts and understand complex ideas, which helps them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Cultural activities such as music, dance, and food festivals expose students to different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, promoting diversity and inclusion. Cultural and literary activities often require students to collaborate and work together towards a common goal, which helps them develop teamwork, leadership, and social skills. Engaging in cultural and literary activities can provide a healthy outlet for stress relief, promoting positive mental health and well-being.
Engaging in cultural and literary activities can be a great way to de-stress and improve mental health. These activities can provide a sense of purpose, boost self-esteem, and improve cognitive functioning. It’s crucial to promote and support these types of activities, particularly among young people who may be at a higher risk for mental health issues and substance abuse. Providing access to community centers, libraries, and other cultural institutions can help ensure that individuals have the resources they need to engage in these types of activities.
Q 4 . How are you helping students to get desired exposure through activities?
A.Well dear Rameez, there are several ways we are helping students get desired exposure through cultural literary activities:
We conduct educational trips to cultural institutions, historical places out side J&K which help students learn about different cultures, history, and art forms. These experiences are enriching and inspiring, and provide students with a deeper understanding of the world around them. In addition to providing new exposure and learning opportunities, educational tours can also help students develop valuable skills such as independence, problem-solving, and cultural sensitivity. By exposing students to new environments and situations, you can help them build confidence and adaptability, which are important skills for success in today’s globalized world.
Inviting authors, poets, and artists to speak to students provide them with a unique perspective on creative expression and the creative process. Guest speakers also share their experiences and provide advice and guidance to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts.
Encouraging students to participate in cultural events such as poetry, art exhibits, and theater productions which help them develop their skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Participating in these events also help students connect with others who share their interests and provide a sense of community. Cultural club provides students with a space to explore their interests and share their talents with others.
Providing students with access to resources such as musical instruments helps them explore their interests and develop their skills. Having access to these resources can also help students who may not have the means to pursue these activities outside of university or college. Overall, by encouraging students to participate in cultural literary activities, we help them develop their creativity, gain exposure to new ideas and perspectives, and build a sense of community. These experiences can be transformative and can have a positive impact on their personal and academic lives.
Organizing youth festivals and sending winning teams to participate in zonal, national, and international youth festivals can be a great way to provide students with exposure to different cultures and art forms. Youth festivals can be a platform for young people to showcase their talents, learn from others, and build relationships with peers from different parts of the country or world.
Q 5 Are female students too participating in cultural and literary events?
I am pleased to inform you that female students at our campus have been actively participating in cultural activities and have won more awards than male students.
Over the past year, our university has organized several cultural events, including music competitions, dance competitions, and literary competitions. We have been delighted to see so many of our students participate in these events and showcase their talents. What is particularly noteworthy is the number of female students who have been actively involved in these events. Not only have they participated in large numbers, but they have also shown exceptional talent and dedication, resulting in them winning more awards than their male counterparts.
This trend is a testament to the diversity and inclusiveness of our institution, where female students are given equal opportunities to excel in all areas, including cultural activities. Our institution is committed to providing a supportive environment for all students to pursue their passions and develop their talents.
We believe that cultural activities are an essential part of a student’s overall development, and we are proud to see our female students excel in this area. We hope to see more students, both male and female, participate in future events and showcase their talents
Q. 6 Your message to students ?
I want to emphasize the importance of extracurricular activities in the academic journey, particularly in light of the new National Education Policy (NEP). The NEP recognizes the crucial role that extracurricular activities play in students overall development, and encourages schools and universities to provide a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved in these activities.
Participating in extracurricular activities can provide a host of benefits that go beyond the classroom. These activities can help students develop new skills, build relationships with peers and mentors, and gain valuable experience that can help them stand out when they enter the job market. Whether they’re interested in sports, cultural activities, community service through NSS or leadership programs Like Debates and youth parliaments, there are countless opportunities for students to get involved and make a difference. By participating in extracurricular activities, they can learn new things, develop their talents, and grow as a person.
I encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities and get involved in activities that interest them. Not only will they gain valuable experience and skills, but they’ll also have the chance to make new friends and have fun along the way.
Universities and , colleges are not just about getting good grades and degree – it’s also about exploring your interests, developing your passions, and building a well-rounded foundation for your future. So, go ahead and get involved in extracurricular activities – you won’t regret it!
