The School of Philosophy & Culture (SoPC) at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, in collaboration with the J&K Regional Centre of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, (estd. at SMVDU Campus) organized a webinar on the topic “Kishtwar: A Land of Sapphire, Saffron and Shrines”. The program began with an inaugural address by Sh. Jamwal.

Dr. Anil Kumar Tewari, Head, SoPC & Coordinator of the event, read out the message received from Prof. Shiv Nirmohi (Padma Shri) who authored two books “Kishtwar: Sanskriti aur Parampara” and “Padar: Lok aur Sanskriti” on the historical and cultural heritage of the region. The invited speakers included Sh. Visesh Paul Mahajan, the first Tahsildar of Padar and presently Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, J&K Govt., Sh. Kewal Krishn Sharma, author of “Kishtwar Darpan”, Sh. Som Nath Sharma, author of “Kishtwar -focus on its tourism potential”, Sh. Daulat Ram, author of “Tarikhi Padar ki Dev Sanskriti”, Sh. Pradeep Parihar, managing editor of www.Kishtwar.com, Sh. Ashish Chouhan, co-author of “Historical & Cultural Odyssey of Paddar” and founder of www.paddarmachail.com. Others including Ms. Arti Devi, PhD Research Scholar, Sh. Deepak Prem Thakur, Chattru Digital Creator YouTuber and Dr. Virendra Bangroo, Director, IGNCA Regional Centre, (J&K). The mother of Ms. Arti Devi and Sh. Daulat Ram also presented Kishtwari folk songs for the audience.

The discussants of the webinar witnessed the remarks by Dr. Rachna Sharma, Founder of Phuro Innovations, and Co-Chair India, Harvard Alumni Entrepreneur, Sh. Narinder Safaya, Founder, “Heritage Kashmir” Sh. Upinder Ambardar, Writer, Jammu and Dr. Aditya Dhopatkar, Research Scholar, Agroecology & Sacred Geography, Navi Mumbai.The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Virendra Bangroo.