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. SRINAGAR: The much-awaited two-day annual cultural festival, Rang-e-Chinar, started on Saturday at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, attracting an enthusiastic turnout of over 8,000 students, faculty, and visitors. The inaugural day featured a series of events designed to celebrate creativity, culture, and student talent.
Returning in 2025 as Rang-e-Chinar 2.0, the festival is organized under the theme ‘Roots and Rhythms’ and promises to be bigger, better, and more diverse than previous editions. The two-day event includes a range of workshops, exhibitions, performances, and interactive installations that provide an immersive experience for attendees.
The opening ceremony was attended by the In-Charge Director and Dean R&C, Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir; Registrar Prof. Atikur Rahman; Dean Students’ Welfare and Chairman of the fest, Prof. Mohammad Abid Bazaz; and key officials from the local police, including SP Hazratbal, DSP, and SHO Nigeen. Other Deans, wardens, and faculty coordinators were also present.
In his message, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanujia lauded the efforts of the organizing team and emphasized the importance of cultural festivals in fostering holistic development among students. He highlighted that such events help students express their creativity, engage with diverse ideas, and strengthen the sense of community within the institute.
Prof. Kanujia further explained that the theme ‘Roots and Rhythms’ represents the integration of traditional values with contemporary ideas, allowing students to connect with their heritage while experimenting with modern forms of art and performance. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir, In-Charge Director and Dean R&C, said Rang-e-Chinar provides an important platform for students to showcase talent beyond academics and fosters a spirit of teamwork and innovation.
Prof. Roohie also acknowledged the contributions of faculty, administrative staff, and student coordinators in ensuring smooth execution. She urged students to actively participate in all activities, attend workshops, and engage with visiting artists and mentors to make the most of the opportunities provided by the festival.
Institute Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman added that the smooth execution of such large-scale events reflects the institute’s commitment to both academic and cultural excellence. He said that events of this scale require careful planning, coordination, and administrative oversight to ensure smooth execution.
“Such festival offers students an opportunity to develop skills beyond academics, including management, communication, and collaborative problem-solving,” Prof. Rehman added. Prof. Bazaz, Dean Students’ Welfare and Chairman of Rang-e-Chinar 2.0, highlighted the importance of student participation and leadership in organizing the festival.
He said that the event provides a unique platform for students to engage in cultural, artistic, and extracurricular activities while developing organizational and teamwork skills. He said that the collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and administrative staff have been central to the successful execution of the festival. “Such events play a vital role in enhancing the campus environment, fostering creativity, and promoting holistic development among students,” Prof. Bazaz added.
Earlier, Dr Janani L, Coordinator of Rang-e-Chinar 2.0, addressed the gathering, highlighting the scale and scope of the festival. “The event features more than 40 competitions and cultural activities over two days, with participation from over 25 institutions across Jammu and Kashmir and an expected footfall of more than 8,000 attendees,” she said.
Dr. Janani said the theme ‘Roots and Rhythms’, explaining that it represents a fusion of cultural heritage with contemporary artistic expression. She outlined the variety of activities, from traditional art forms such as Silambam, Henna Art, Crochet, Fabric Painting, and Clay Art to modern competitions in dance, singing, acting, poetry, photography, and rap battles.
Dr. Janani also detailed the pro shows planned for the festival, including performances by Waqar Khan, Momin Band, Shor Band, and On Edge DJ, aimed at providing high-energy entertainment for attendees. A formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Iqra Altaf, who extended gratitude to Director Prof. Binod Kumar Kanujia for his continuous guidance and support.
She acknowledged Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir for her dedication, Registrar Prof. Atikur Rahman for ensuring smooth administration, and Prof. Mohammad Abid Bazaz for his leadership in organizing the festival. She also recognized the support of all Heads of Departments, Deans, and wardens for facilitating student participation.
Dr. Iqra highlighted the contributions of the event coordinators, including Dr. Janani, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Dr. Sparsh Sharma, and Dr. Pankaj Kumar, whose planning and dedication ensured the festival ran smoothly. She also thanked the administrative and non-teaching staff, local police authorities, Tehsildar, and other members of the local administration for their cooperation.
The festival’s sponsors and partners were also acknowledged, including the Title Sponsor: Bureau of Indian Standards, Sponsor: J&K Bank, Media Partners: Rising Kashmir and ANN News, and Printing Partner: Rampage Advertising Agency, whose support contributed to the success of the event.
Special appreciation was given to the student coordinators, led by Ayush Singh (Chairperson), Vaishnavi Mishra (Vice-Chairperson), Yakshita Yadav and Shahid Nisar (General Secretaries), and Siddhant Raghav (Treasurer), along with all team leads and co-leads. Their efforts in planning, organizing, and executing the festival were described as pivotal to its success.
Dr. Iqra also placed on record the contributions of the previous core team, led by Adnan Zahoor, Anjali, and Yasir Shah, who laid the foundation for the current edition of the festival.
Officials said Rang-e-Chinar 2.0 aims to provide a platform for students to showcase their talent, interact with peers, and gain exposure to different cultural and artistic forms. With active participation and meticulous organization, the festival has set a high standard for cultural events at the institute and in the region.