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: Under the visionary leadership of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu the Hindi Fortnight at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu commenced on 15th September 2025 at the Mandapam Auditorium with grandeur, literary dignity, and cultural elegance. The inaugural Kavi Sammelan captivated the audience with a unique blend of literature, humor, satire, and culture.
The program began with the auspicious lighting of the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge and wisdom over darkness. This was followed by a soulful invocation to Goddess Saraswati by Ms. Padmini Sharma, which infused the entire atmosphere with spiritual charm and literary essence.
Dignitaries present at the inaugural ceremony included Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research; Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Media and Publications and Anandam; Dr. Anuja Akhouri, Co-Chairperson, Hindi Rajbhasha Samiti; and Dr. Ashish Isher, Rajbhasha Adhikari, IIM Jammu. The gracious presence of Cmde. Kesavan Baskkaran, Chief Administrative Officer, and Dr. Ashish Kumar, Chairperson, Student Affairs, IIM Jammu, further enhanced the solemnity of the occasion.
Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal in his address reflected that when language is left behind, it becomes the silence of belonging, but in moments of celebration, it transforms into a thread that binds hearts and minds. He noted that when words emerge from lived experiences, they turn into the gentle language of smiles, carrying warmth, intimacy, and shared joy. With humor and poetic grace, he reminded the gathering that language is not merely a medium of expression but a bridge of togetherness and delight.
Prof. Jabir Ali emphasized that although English has gained mainstream dominance, it is vital to maintain a balanced approach where Hindi also secures its rightful place. Drawing parallels with French being spoken at global forums, he urged the need to create opportunities for Hindi, including support for translators. He underscored that nurturing Hindi as a mother tongue is our responsibility and reminded that Hindi Fortnight serves as a call to keep the language alive.
Dr. Ashish Isher expressed gratitude to Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu for his guidance and support and read out the message of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India, sharing it with the gathering.
The Kavi Sammelan showcased a remarkable confluence of diverse poetic styles. Eminent poets Shri Shambhu Shikhar, Shri Rao Ajatshatru, Ms. Padmini Sharma, Shri Priyanshu Gajendra, and Shri Ashok Charan enthralled the audience with their distinctive voices. From humour and satire to philosophical reflections and emotional depth, the auditorium resonated with laughter, applause, and thoughtful silences.
Shri Shambhu Shikhar, in his powerful address, reminded that Hindi today is a living language of nearly 900 million people worldwide. He emphasized that Hindi is not just a means of communication but the cornerstone of our culture, identity, and national ethos.
The Kavi Sammelan became a rare confluence of tradition and modernity, where the deep roots of heritage and the new branches of contemporary thought blossomed together on one stage. The immortal lines of RashtrakaviRamdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ seemed to come alive on this occasion
"Hindi is our identity, it is our voice,
Without it, the story of Bharat Mata remains incomplete."
The Hindi Rajbhasha Samiti of IIM Jammu was duly acknowledged for its efforts, and it was reiterated that Hindi Fortnight aims to rekindle respect, pride, and affection for the language, ensuring that Hindi continues to be a medium of service, values, and emotions in everyday life. A special highlight of the program was the presentation by Dr. Kumar Ashish, Indian Railway Service, Government of India, whose heartfelt and melodious poetry left the audience spellbound, enriching the atmosphere with literary beauty and emotional warmth.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Anuja Akhouri, Co-Chairperson, Hindi Rajbhasha Samiti, IIM Jammu, bringing the program to a meaningful conclusion. As part of Hindi Fortnight, a film screening was also organized a day earlier. In the coming days, a series of literary and cultural events will continue, reaffirming IIM Jammu’s unwavering commitment to Hindi as a language of knowledge, culture, and expression.