Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The University of Jammu commenced its Zonal-Level ‘Display Your Talent 2026’, an annual cultural event organised by the Department of Students Welfare (DSW), providing a vibrant platform for students from affiliated degree colleges and university departments to showcase their artistic and creative talents through around 27 competitions in music, dance, literary activities, fine arts and theatre.
Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education, University of Jammu, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function, which commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries. Prof. Prakash C. Antahal, Dean Students Welfare; Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee (CCC); Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, CCC; and other senior university functionaries were also present.
The zonal format of ‘Display Your Talent’ has been envisioned by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, to encourage wider student participation, particularly from far-flung areas. Under this format, affiliated colleges across Jammu province have been divided into five zones: Jammu, Rajouri-Poonch, Samba-Kathua, Udhampur-Reasi and Doda-Kashtwar. Competitions are organised at the zonal level, with winners proceeding to the Inter-Zonal Level ‘Display Your Talent’ at the University of Jammu.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava congratulated the students and highlighted the importance of cultural awareness in their overall and holistic development. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Students Welfare in organising such events and providing students with a vibrant platform to showcase their talents. During his tenure as Dean Students Welfare, Prof. Srivastava had initiated several cultural initiatives that continue to be organised successfully.
Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Prakash Chand Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, University of Jammu, described the inauguration of the three-day Youth Display Your Talent programme as a moment of pride for the University. He appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Campus Cultural Committee in implementing the programme in its revised format, featuring zonal-level competitions across five zones followed by the inter-zonal finals at the University.
Prof. Antahal highlighted that the restructured format was introduced to ensure wider participation, particularly among students from remote and far-flung areas. He noted that the success of this initiative is reflected in the University’s achievements at the national level in recent years.
Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee, University of Jammu, described ‘Display Your Talent 2026’ as one of the University’s most cherished cultural traditions and a celebration of creativity that has evolved over time. She noted that, since its inception in 1983, the festival has developed into a major platform for artistic expression in music, dance, theatre, fine arts and literary activities.
Highlighting the University’s expansion across 164 affiliated colleges, multiple campuses and diverse regions, Prof. Chadha explained that the introduction of the zonal format in 2024, under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, has significantly widened participation, especially among students from far-flung areas.
The events conducted on the first day included Group Song Indian, Light Vocal Solo, Classical Vocal, Cartooning, Poster Making and Classical Instrumental. The music competitions were adjudicated by Dr. Bhupinder Malhotra, Mr. Raj Kumar Rathore, Dr. Ravi Gautam, Mr. Purshottam Kumar and Ms. Tanya Gupta, while Ms. Priyanka Sinha and Mr. Manoj Chopra adjudicated the fine arts competitions. The teacher in-charges of various events included Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Dr. Sarita Sood, Dr. Harleen Kaur and Dr. Geeta.
In Group Song Indian, GCW Parade secured first position, followed by the Institute of Music & Fine Arts (IMFA) in second position and MIER College in third position.
In Light Vocal Solo, Gunjan Chowdhary from the Department of History, University of Jammu, secured first position, followed by Gayatri from GCW Parade in second position and Aarav Nargotra from IMFA in third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Tahira Shamim from IMFA, Sonia Verma from the Centre for Distance and Online Education, and Roshni Badgotra from GCW Parade.
In Classical Vocal, Mahima Chibber and Roshni Badgotra, both from GCW Parade, secured first and second positions, respectively, while Tahira Shamim from IMFA secured third position.
In Cartooning, the topics were ‘Celebrity Caricatures’ and ‘Electronics in Students’ Life’. Abuzar Ali from IMFA secured first position, followed by Sonakshi Gupta from the Department of Political Science, University of Jammu, in second position and Tanish Kumar from GDC R.S. Pura in third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Mohd. Zhaigam from the Department of Law, University of Jammu, and Sakshi Gupta from IMFA.
In Poster Making, the topics were ‘Navratri Festival’ and ‘Traffic Problem’. Rupinder Singh from GDC R.S. Pura secured first position, followed by Anushka from IMFA in second position and Sadhvi Jasrotia from IMFA in third position. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Mohd. Zhaigham from the Department of Law, University of Jammu, and Nishant Manjotra from T.B.S., University of Jammu.
The events organised by the Department of Students Welfare are conceived, planned and conducted 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 event was 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. Officials and students who assisted in managing 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, Ayub, Nitish and Tanya.
The competitions will continue with Western Singing, Elocution, Quiz, Painting and Collage at the Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, from 10:00 a.m. onwards on the scheduled date of December 14.
