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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at JAMMU: The Department of National Security Studies (NSS), Central University of Jammu (CUJ), under the esteemed patronage of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain, organized a special lecture on “Role of Hari Singh’s Accession Decision and its Impact on India’s National Security.” The Lecture was delivered by Prof. (Retd.) Harbans Singh Sambyal, an eminent scholar and former academician known for his deep insights into the history and security dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. Neeta Rani, Head of the Department, NSS, CU Jammu, who highlighted the significance and importance of understanding historical decisions that continue to shape India’s contemporary national security landscape. This was followed by an introduction of the distinguished guest by Dr. R. Sudhakar, Associate Professor, NSS, CUJ, who outlined Prof. Sambyal’s academic journey and his significant contributions as a erudite journalist and writer, to the study of history of Jammu and Kashmir and regional geopolitics.
Prof. M. Venkataraman, Professor, NSS, CUJ, offered special remarks, underscoring the relevance of Hari Singh’s accession decision not only as a historical moment but also as a cornerstone in India’s territorial integrity and security strategy. He highlighted the shifting regional dynamics and the evolution of security dynamics in the context of Jammu and Kashmir and broader international relations.
In his special lecture, Prof. Harbans Singh Sambyal provided an in-depth analysis of the state formation in Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh’s decision to accede to India in 1947. He elaborated on how this crucial move laid the foundation for India’s national security framework in the region, shaping strategic calculations and influencing India’s policies towards Jammu & Kashmir.
He also highlighted the geopolitical advantage taken by Pakistan as a pivot during the cold war and post-war era. Prof. Sambyal emphasized that the decision had far-reaching implications, particularly in the context of cross-border challenges, regional stability, and the evolving security environment. Towards the end of the lecture Q&A session was also held.
The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain, in his message appreciated the scholarly depth of the lecture and commended the Department for organizing such thought-provoking academic engagements. The session concluded with a Presidential Address by Prof. Ritu Bakshi, Dean Students’ Welfare, CUJ, who appreciated the Department of National Security Studies for organizing the lecture and encouraged students and scholars to engage with such critical historical and security studies perspectives for the realization of vision Viksit Bharat.
The formal proceedings were closed with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Assistant Professor, NSS, CUJ, who acknowledged the contribution of the distinguished speaker, the faculty, volunteers and the participants in making the event successful. The faculty of the department – Dr. Prasanta, Dr. Ekta and Dr. Anuradha were engaged during the interactive session after the special lecture. The special lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars, and students, generating thought-provoking discussions on the historical roots of India’s national security concerns and their contemporary relevance. The event reflected the Department’s commitment to fostering critical debates and advancing scholarship in the field of national security studies.
