Day 2 of Display Your Talent–2026 witnesses enthusiastic participation in Music, Fine Arts and Theatre competitions at JU

JAMMU: The second day of the 3rd Zonal-Level Youth Festival, Display Your Talent–2026, organised by the Department of Students Welfare (DSW), University of Jammu, witnessed a series of competitions in music, fine arts, literary activities and theatre. The events included Western Group Song, Western Solo, Western Instrumental, Mime, Mimicry, Skit, One Act Play, On-the-Spot Painting, Collage, Quiz and Elocution.

The festival provides a vibrant platform for students from affiliated degree colleges and university departments to showcase their artistic and creative talents through around 27 competitions. The present format of Display Your Talent has been envisioned by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, and has witnessed increased participation from students belonging to far-flung areas.

In the Quiz Competition, Sumeet Kumar, Amit Manhas and Sania Sharma from the Centre for Distance and Online Education secured first position, followed by Usman Rafeeq, Imesh Pangotra and Mahesh Sharma from the Department of Mathematics, JU, in second position, and Ojeswi Rajput, Ishita Kotwal and Samiyaa Sharma from GCW Parade in third position. A Certificate of Merit was awarded to Komal Sharma, Manik Parihar and Aditya Bhardwaj from the Department of Political Science, JU.

In Elocution, the topics were ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ and ‘How to Make Nasha Mukt Bharat a Reality’. Anshika Gandhi from The Law School, JU, secured first position, followed by Samiya Sharma from GCW Parade in second position and Nitish Kumar from the Department of Dogri, JU, in third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Pihu Bhardwaj from the Department of Political Science, JU, Ojeswi Rajput from GCW Parade and Nitasha from the Department of Law, JU.

In Western Vocal Solo, Kunwar Langer from The Law School, JU, secured first position, Janvi Sharma from GCW Parade secured second position, and Mamta Kumari from IMFA secured third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Harika Raj Nargotra from GCW Parade and Tahira Shamim from IMFA. In Western Instrumental Solo, Aarav Nargotra and Rajan Bhagat from IMFA secured first and second positions, respectively.

In Collage, the topics were ‘Mother Earth’ and ‘Unity in Diversity’. Adith Kumar Kotwal from IMFA secured first position, Mohd. Zaigham from the Department of Law, JU, secured second position, and Gurleen Kaur from the Department of Journalism, JU, secured third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Rupinder Singh and Ritik Sharma from GDC R.S. Pura.

In Painting, the topics were ‘Seasons’ and ‘Village Vibe’. Divya Rathore and Richa Raina from IMFA secured first and second positions, respectively, while Urvashi Tickoo from GCW Parade secured third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Ritish Sharma from GDC Akhnoor and Sunakshi Gupta from the Department of Political Science, JU.

In Classical Instrumental (Non-Percussion), Sidharth Bhogal from GDC Nagrota secured first position, followed by Narinder from IMFA in second position and Nisha Devi from GCW Parade in third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Anamika from GCW Parade and Hartik from IMFA.

In Classical Instrumental (Percussion), Navraj Singh and Varun Kalotra from IMFA secured first and second positions, respectively.

In Mime, the Award of Appreciation was presented to GDC R.S. Pura.

In Mimicry, Aman Kumar from TBS, JU, secured first position, Savi from the Department of Psychology, JU, secured second position, and Tanmay Pangotra from the Department of Commerce, JU, secured third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Mohd. Zaigham from the Department of Law, JU, and Ayush from GDC R.S. Pura.

In Skit, GDC R.S. Pura secured first position, followed by PG Integrated, JU, in second position and GCW Parade, JU, in third position.

In One Act Play, PG Integrated, JU, secured first position, GDC R.S. Pura secured second position, and GCW Parade secured third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to CD&OE, JU, and MIER College.

The jury members for the competitions included Dr. Ravi Gautam and Ms. Tanya Gupta for Music; Mr. Suman Gupta, Mr. Susheel Gupta and Ms. Priyanka Sinha for Fine Arts; Dr. Vandana Khajuria, Mr. Ashok Sharma and Ms. Himangi Sharma for Elocution; and Mr. Ravinder Kaul, Dr. Tejinder Singh Gill and Mr. Vikrant Sharma for Theatre.

The Teachers In-charge of the events were Dr. Shallu Sharma, Dr. Bandana Thakur, Dr. Farah Chowdhary and Dr. Jasleen Kaur.

The DSW events are conceived, planned and organised by a team comprising Prof. Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare; Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee; Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee; Dr. Pritam Singh, Associate Dean SW; Dr. Shallu Sharma and Dr. A.R. Manhas, Deputy Chief Proctors; Dr. Harleen Kaur and Dr. Ripudaman Parihar, Assistant Deans, SW; members of the Campus Cultural Committee; Ms. Mansi Mantoo, Media Officer; Sumeet Sharma, Drama Instructor; and Ifra Kak, Cultural Officer.

The events were witnessed by members of the Campus Cultural Committee, teachers, students, scholars of the University of Jammu and prominent members of civil society. The sound arrangements were managed by Kulbhushan Thakur and Arif Paul.

The officials and students who managed the event included Balwant Slathia, Sachin Sharma, Pawan Verma, R.P. Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Jatinder Singh, Sunny Singh, Nitasha, Tanvi Sakshi, Priya, Gurleen, Mohit, Shambhavi, Nitish and Tanya.

All first-position winners will be felicitated on October 15, 2026, from 3:30 PM onwards. The concluding day's competitions in Dance, Debate, Clay Modelling and Rangoli will be held at the Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, from 10:00 AM onwards.