Under the Thursday Minds-Meet program, an online discussion on the cultural and historical heritage of Akhnoor was organized at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, on 10th June 2021.

At the onset, Sh. Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar, SMVDU, welcomed the speakers and audience. He also shared his experiences of his two years tenure as Sub-divisional Magistrate in Akhnoor.

The renowned literary personality Prof. Shiv Nirmohi (Padma Shri) was the keynote speaker of the event. Prof. Nirmohi narrated the historical and cultural relevance of the places in Akhnoor. Dr. Vinod Singh Rawat, Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, JK Circle, made a presentation on the historical sites of the region. Ms. Ansuya Jamwal, Joint Director, Hospitality and Protocol, shared her experiences during her tenure as deputy director of the tourism department.

Dr. Lalit Gupta, Former Senior Instructor History of Art, Dept. of Art History and Aesthetics, Institute of Music & Fine Arts, University of Jammu, highlighted the cultural relevance of Akhnoor in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.

Dr. Virendra Bangroo, Director, JK Regional Centre of IGNCA, New Delhi, and Dr. Poonam Chaudhary, Director, Centre for Studies of Museology, University of Jammu, also shared their thoughts with the audience. The need for a research-based study and document of historical sites is strongly felt in the discussion.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by the moderator Dr. Anil Tewari, Head, School of Philosophy and Culture, SMVDU.