SMVDU Katra: The first cultural event from the State of Jammu & Kashmir under ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’ mission of Govt. of India began from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University when the Minister of State for Education, Culture and Tourism, Smt. Priya Sethi flagged it off yesterday. ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’ is a mission for cultural exchange among various States and Union Territories of India launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The State of Jammu & Kashmir is paired with the State of Tamil Nadu. The yesterday’s event was specially designed to showcase some folk art forms of Jammu & Kashmir to the students of Tamil Nadu already studying in Jammu & Kashmir. 50 students from 14 different Kendriya Vidyala’s from the state of Tamil Nadu also participated in the event. There was overwhelming response from Kendriya Vidyalaya 1 Jammu, Kendriya Vidyalaya 1 Udhampur & Army Public School Jammu Cantt.

Smt. Sethi highlighted in her address the rich cultural heritage of our country. She further emphasized on more such events across different states. Noted folk artist of Bhakh, Ms. Asha Keshar and her team, presented mesmerizing performance on the occasion which took the audience to a new world. Vice Chancellor felicitated the chief guest Smt. Priya Sethi, the guest of honour on the occasion Dr. M. K. Kumar Additional CEO of SMVDSB and the performer of the day Ms. Asha Keshar. Dr. V. K. Tripathi, the Nodal Officer of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’ mission of SMVDU, welcomed the Guests and introduced the event. Prof. V.K. Bhat, Registrar, Dean of Students Dr. Yugal Khajuria, faculty, staff and teacher in-charges of various participating schools were present on the occasion. The Vice President Board of Cultural Activities delivered vote of thanks. Mr. Rishab Raina conducted the show.

The event was assigned to SMVDU in a meeting convened by the Department of Higher Education J&K on 25th October in Srinagar. Other Universities were also assigned a range of activities that will follow, creating a range of opportunities for cultural exchange among the youth of both the States. SMVDU is likely to host more visiting students from Tamil Nadu in the coming months for academic exchange, and also, activities are scheduled for students’ exchange through NSS.