Need to package our culture in modern terminology : VC

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As tools, lexicon of language have changed under new global perspectives, trans-disciplinary fields are required to study properly the Kashmir cultural history, said Vice Chancellor Prof Riyaz Punjabi Tuesday, while inaugurating a 3 day National seminar on aspects of Kashmir Culture: Change Continuity organized by Institute of Kashmir Studies, at Ghandi Bhawan University campus.

Prof Punjabi said that we have miserably failed to package our culture to younger generation in modern terminology. That is why, said VC there is disconnect between them and us, and need is to present our younger generation with some thing which defines their personality. Prof Punjabi advocated the need for a trans-disciplinary approach to study Kashmiri language and literature and said this will help to put our language and literature nicely before our younger generation. Saying that text book knowledge is not enough in modern day world Vice Chancellor said, we need to work among people to understand them . Paying rich tributes to noted singer Ghulan Hassan Sofi, who breathed his last this week VC termed him as one of the prominent symbols of Kashmir Culture who he said accompanied him abroad though his voice and kept him oriented with Kashmir Culture.

Vice Chancellor described Kashmiri language as the core component of the Kashmiri culture and said it comprises of our ethos traditions and values. VC revealed on the occasion that Rishi order is indigenous to Kashmir and that we need to study Sheikh-ul-Alam afresh to understand the dynamics of his communication and approach to religion.

In his address noted poet and broadcaster Farooq Nazki who was the chief guest on the occasion felt the need for a dialogue and interaction amongst various cultures and said the dialogue is necessary for survival. Saying that we have to be conscious of what we are doing, the Chief Guest said Srinagar, the heritage city of Kashmir is being ruined by its own beneficiaries and we have spoiled the whole face of it , its historical monuments and open spaces. “ You have to save Kashmir “ said an emotionally charged Nazki adding that save Kashmir Moment should initiate from Kashmir University.

In his keynote address noted educationist Prof Mazoor Fazli said cultural ethos of the society of Kashmir from ancient times to the present is a continuous struggle for change and continuity. He said the continuity and change are essential for any political, social and religious organism. Prof Fazli said that whatever life in nature, even is in embryonic stage must be free to grow, otherwise it will stagnate, decay and die. He said scholars in this on aspects of Kashmir culture are expected to address such issues and problems concerning the dynamics of our culture, shifting models and requirements for preservation of most important expressions of our culturists languages and the concerns of mankind.

In his address Prof Meem Hi Zaffar underlined that aims and objectives of Institute of Kashmir Studies Centre and said to provide available platform to the scholars interested in Kashmir studies to debate and discuss various issues on the subject, to create space for a critical re-evaluation and re-assessment of the literature on various subjects-related to Kashmir, produced till date. Prof Zafar added that to create an environment for the interaction between local intelligentsia and the scholars and intellects at the national and international level is one of the main aims of his centre. Prof Gulshan Majeed one of the organizers of the seminar presented a report of the institute. A galaxy of intellectuals, scholars , university faculty and students attended the seminar .