Udhampur Campus comes alive as University of Jammu kicks off “Display Your Talent 2025 – Devika Zone”

UDHAMPUR: The Department of Students Welfare (DSW), University of Jammu in collaboration with the Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu, successfully inaugurated “Display Your Talent 2025 - Devika Zone” a two-day mega cultural festival celebrating art, music, dance, theatre, fine arts, and the literary diversity of Jammu. The event is being held at the Udhampur Campus of the University of Jammu from 25th to 26th November 2025.

Conceptualized under the visionary leadership of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, the initiative, a cornerstone of the University’s cultural calendar, provides students from all affiliated colleges, teaching departments, and offsite campuses an opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic excellence.

‘Display Your Talent’ is an annual mega event featuring competitions in music, dance, theatre, fine arts, and literary activities. Winners of these events not only earn cultural recognition but also represent the University in Inter-University North Zone and National Youth Festivals organized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Achievements in DYT also carry weightage for admission to postgraduate programmes under the University’s cultural category.

To promote inclusivity and greater student participation from remote and far-flung areas, Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu conceptualized the decentralization of the event into five zones — Tawi, Devika, Ravi, Pir Panjal, and Chenab. The Display Your Talent 2025 is being organised across various zones under the overall supervision of Prof. Prakash Chand Anthal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee, and Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee.

The event was graced by Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA J&K, as the Chief Guest. The festival was organised under the dynamic leadership and support of Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector, Udhampur Campus & Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, whose vision has been pivotal in promoting cultural and creative initiatives at the campus. It was further guided by Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee, University of Jammu, whose dedicated efforts contributed greatly to the smooth and successful execution of the event.

Chief Guest Ms. Shruti Awasthi congratulated the young artists for showcasing the cultural richness of Jammu through folk performances, Sanskrit recitations, and various regional expressions. She noted that every region carries its distinct identity yet remains rooted in a shared civilizational foundation. She emphasised that arts and culture nurture values, identity, and a sense of community, and appreciated the initiative of the Udhampur Campus and the Department of Students Welfare for organising a meaningful and inspiring cultural celebration.

Earlier, Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector, Udhampur Campus & Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, for his continuous encouragement, visionary guidance and unwavering support in promoting cultural and academic excellence at the Udhampur Campus. He also expressed appreciation for the valuable contribution of Dr. Kamini Dutta, Faculty, Udhampur Campus, for her active involvement in coordination and seamless management of the event activities, ensuring smooth participation of students across various categories.

Also expressing his strong support and appreciation, to all the participants and emphasized that cultural festivals play a vital role in shaping confident, responsible and culturally grounded youth. He stated that such platforms act as a great booster for young students, nurturing leadership, teamwork and creativity. Prof. Sharma warmly acknowledged the gracious presence of the Chief Guest, Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, ICCR, whose inspiring words motivated the students to pursue excellence and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of India. He also appreciated the contribution and leadership of Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee, University of Jammu, for her dedicated efforts in fostering a vibrant cultural environment and guiding the organising team throughout the event.

Acknowledging the dedication and efforts of the organising team, faculty and students, he encouraged the participants to continue learning from each other and carry forward the cultural heritage of the region. He appreciated the traditional and regional performances including Sanskrit recitation, folk dance, Dogra songs and artistic exhibits, and expressed that active participation helps preserve cultural identity for future generations.

Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee, appreciated the overwhelming student participation and collaborative spirit displayed throughout the event. She expressed that Display Your Talent is not merely a competition but a celebration of creativity, unity and cultural identity, and such memorable experiences remain with students for life. She emphasized the significance of local art, heritage values and folk traditions in strengthening India’s cultural fabric, and congratulated everyone on the successful execution of the event.

Day 1 witnessed enthusiastic participation in multiple events including Group Song (Indian), Jai Dogra Competition, Light Vocal Solo, Classical Vocal Solo, Classical Instrumental (Percussion), Western Group Song, Western Vocal Solo, Cartooning, Poster Making, Painting and Quiz, reflecting the impressive artistic talent and intellectual excellence among students. The event concluded with a grand Prize Distribution Ceremony, where Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector, Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu, presented trophies to the winners and participants, appreciating their exceptional performances and creative talent.

In the Western Vocal Solo (Music) category, Manya from Government College for Women (GCW) Udhampur secured the top position, followed by Sania Sambyal from GCW Udhampur in second place. Shivansh Mahajan from Government Degree College (GDC) Udhampur bagged the third position. A special complementary prize was awarded to Piyush Sharma from GDC Udhampur for his commendable performance.

In the Light Vocal Solo category, GDC Udhampur bagged the first prize, while GCW Udhampur secured the second position, followed by GDC Chenani in third place. In the Classical Vocal Solo category, Rajiv Singh from GDC, Chenani, emerged as the winner for his exceptional classical rendition. In the Classical Instrumental (Percussion) event, Uttkarsh Varnwal from GDC Udhampur won the first prize, while Navjot Singh, also from GDC Udhampur, secured the second prize.

The Western Group Song competition was won by the team from GCW Udhampur, showcasing outstanding harmony and stage presence. In the Indian Group Song category, GCW Udhampur bagged the first prize, followed by GDC Udhampur in the second position, and Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu, in the third position, receiving huge appreciation from the audience for their powerful vocal presentation of Indian melodies.

In the Jai Dogra Song category, the team from GCW Udhampur claimed the first position for their melodious tribute to Dogra cultural heritage. In Fine Arts, under Cartooning, Rahul from GDC Udhampur won the first prize, followed by Amandeep from Udhampur Campus in second place, and Silvy Rana from Bhatiya College of Education securing the third position.

In Poster Making, Komal Sharma from Bharatiya College of Education secured the first position, Aditi Devi from Bhaskar Degree College stood second, and Vriddhi from GCW Udhampur won the third position. In the Painting competition, Manvi Rathore from GCW Udhampur won the first prize, while Pankaj Kumar and Ruhani from Udhampur Campus bagged the second and third prizes respectively.

In the Quiz Competition, Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu, secured the first position, followed by GDC Udhampur in second place. Prof. Yash Pal Sharma congratulated all winners and participants, acknowledging their dedication and emphasising the importance of cultural and co-curricular activities in holistic personality development.

Dr. Jyoti Sharma presented the Vote of Thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai for his constant support and visionary guidance, to Prof. Yash Pal Sharma for his leadership, continuous encouragement and motivation, to the Chief Guest Ms. Shruti Awasthi for inspiring young talent, and to Prof. Sarika Manhas for her valuable support in organising the event. She also thanked DSW, principals of participating colleges, judges, faculty members, teaching and non-teaching staff, student coordinators, volunteers and participants for their dedication and teamwork. The event concluded with applause and a commitment to greater participation in future editions of Display Your Talent.