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 Department of History, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre, Jammu & Kashmir, organised a special programme to commemorate the 196th Birth Anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai on the theme “Rani Lakshmibai: A Timeless Symbol of Women Empowerment.”
Professor Suman Jamwal, in her welcome address, reflected on the enduring legacy of Rani Lakshmibai as a symbol of courage, leadership, and women’s empowerment. She emphasised that Lakshmibai’s resistance to colonial rule marked a defining moment in India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire contemporary discussions on gender equity and national identity. Prof. Jamwal urged students to view Lakshmibai not only as a legendary warrior but also as a visionary leader whose life exemplifies resilience, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her remarks set an inspiring tone for the programme.
Following her remarks, she formally welcomed the distinguished speakers, Prof. Dushyant Kumar Rai, Department of Media & Journalism, University of Jammu, and Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Director, IGNCA, Regional Centre, Jammu & Kashmir.
Prof. Dushyant Kumar Rai delivered an insightful lecture highlighting Rani Lakshmibai’s contribution to India’s resistance tradition and her lasting impact on discourses related to women’s empowerment. He drew compelling comparisons, supported by cinematic examples and cultural narratives, to illustrate the evolving representation of empowered women in modern India. Prof. Rai also engaged with students on the multifaceted dimensions of women’s agency and empowerment.
In her address, Ms. Shruti Awasthi emphasised the importance of indigenous historical perspectives, oral traditions, and cultural memory in understanding the role of women in India’s civilizational heritage. She underscored the need to integrate local histories and vernacular traditions into contemporary academic discourse.
The programme was attended by faculty members, research scholars, and students from the University of Jammu. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Sh. Suman Kumar Verma, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, collaborators, and participants for their meaningful contribution to the programme.