Central University of Kashmir celebrates 79th Independence Day with fervour, VC hoists tricolour

GANDERBAL: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) celebrated the 79^th Independence Day of the country with enthusiasm and fervour with Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, hoisting the National Flag at Tulmulla Campus here on Friday.

Dean Academic Affairs and I/c Registrar, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of the Departments, faculty members, statutory officers, administrative staff, research scholars and students were present. The security wing and the students of the Department of Physical Education performed the march past on the occasion.

The flag hoisting was followed by an address by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath to the university community, urging students, faculty, and staff to contribute proactively towards building a self-reliant and progressive India.

Congratulating the staff and the people of the country on the Independence Day, Prof. A Ravinder Nath in his address, asked the students to be active partners in knowledge creation and forefront of academic, research, and community engagement activities. “Academics are not just meant to nurture leaders with social responsibility, but also to create new knowledge through research that can empower the nation’s economy,” he remarked.

Highlighting the transformative impact of emerging technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence, Prof. A Ravinder Nath advised students to look beyond the service sector and focus on manufacturing and agriculture to enhance employment opportunities. He stressed the importance of intellectual property and innovative research for national strength, noting that despite the absence of a Nobel Prize-winning achievement post-independence, India’s scientific and academic contributions remain noteworthy.

Calling for a stronger focus on research, national mission mandates, and institutional branding, Prof. A Ravinder Nath expressed his aspiration for CUKashmir to feature prominently on the National Portal for academic excellence, rankings, and accreditations. Acknowledging that the university is still in its formative stage, he stressed the importance of converting challenges into opportunities through innovative thinking and proactive student engagement.

He called for measures to ensure that CUKashmir campus remains a model of cleanliness, order, and sustainability, reflecting the ideals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat. “Every stakeholder of this institution—students, faculty, and staff—must take ownership of its growth, reputation, and contribution to the nation,” he asserted. He lauded the initiatives like Har Ghar Tiranga and the activities conducted at CUK over the past two weeks, which, he said, had instilled a renewed sense of purpose and national pride.

CUKashmir Vice-Chancellor, encouraged students to explore government portals such as Viksit Bharat, Swachh Bharat, and My Bharat, highlighting opportunities like the Aspiring Leadership Program offered by Harvard Business School for first-generation learners. “I want to see at least one or two students from CUKashmir represent at Harvard next year,” he said, urging faculty members to mentor and guide students in seizing such opportunities.

Prof. A Ravinder Nath also expressed profound grief and sorrow at the deaths and destruction due to massive cloudburst at Chisoti village in Padder area of Kishtwar district, which triggered flash-floods. Asst Prof. Deptt of Law, Dr. Mudasir Ahmad Bhat conducted the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.

At the Green Campus, the tricolor was hoisted by Dean School of Business Studies, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nikka and at the Nuner Campus, the National Flag was hoisted by Prof. Mohammad Yousuf, Dean School of Physical and Chemical Sciences. During the functions at both places, faculty members, staff, research scholars and students of respective campuses were present.