In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family

JAMMU: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Higher Education, Shantmanu, today inaugurated a two day division level workshop on Disaster Management Capacity Building for the faculty members of colleges across the Jammu division. The workshop was organised by the Government College for Women (GCW), Parade in which 100 faculty members participated.

In his inaugural address, the ACS highlighted the urgent need for preparedness, coordinated response systems and robust community engagement to effectively tackle disasters in a region as sensitive and disaster-prone as Jammu & Kashmir.

Director Colleges, Dr. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, underscored the importance of capacity building in higher education. He emphasized the key role of NSS volunteers and DRR Clubs in spreading disaster awareness at the grassroots level. Director Finance Higher Education Department, Abdul Majid Bhat, was also present.

Nodal Principal, Dr. Ravender Kumar Tickoo, emphasized the crucial role of educators in shaping a responsive academic community capable of supporting early warning dissemination, basic rescue assistance and community-level awareness. He reiterated that trained DRR Club volunteers and students can serve as vital first responders, especially in remote areas where timely intervention is critical.

The two day programme included technical sessions, live demonstrations and interactive discussions aimed at equipping the colleges with practical skills and enhance institutional disaster response mechanisms.

The workshop focused on disaster mitigation, preparedness and institutional readiness, covering earthquakes, floods, landslides and other region-specific hazards, as Jammu & Kashmir falls in a high-risk disaster-prone zone.

The resource persons from SDRF, NDRF, Fire & Emergency Services and the Regional Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Jammu conducted hands-on sessions on evacuation protocols, first aid, fire safety, risk reduction strategies and psychological preparedness.

The event concluded with a collective commitment to build safer campuses, nurture a culture of preparedness and empower students as ambassadors of disaster resilience within their communities.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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