Srinagar: Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi on the inaugural session of youth festival: Sonzal said that that extra-curricular activities are an essential component of the education process and such activities help prepare students to effectively face the future challenges.

Inaugurating eight-day annual youth festival ‘Sonzal-2017’, organised by the department of students welfare, Prof Andrabi said that youth of J&K are an embodiment of innovation and creativity and Sonzal-like festivals provide a platform to them to exhibit their talent and potential.

The aim of education is not merely passing examinations but also produce balanced personalities, he said.

 “This youth festival is one of the richest legacies of the University of Kashmir,” he said, and hailed the DSW for maintaining the regularity of the festival.

Dean, College Development Council, Prof Neelofar Khan, the guest of honour,  said that the University has emerged as front-runner in hosting and organising the biggest youth festival in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 10 years and “we should be proud of this legacy.”

Registrar Prof Khursheed A Butt, also the guest of honour, assured the University’s full support to such festivals and other co-curricular activities undertaken by the students.

Dean Students Welfare Prof GN Khaki welcomed the dignitaries and participants and said that Sonzal festival provides a platform to students to foster greater sense of togetherness and camaraderie.

Cultural officer DSW Shahid Ali Khan, the organising secretary of Sonzal-2017, presented vote of thanks. He said that the youth festival shall host competitions in quiz, debate, elocution, poster-making, painting, cartoon-making, ‘rangoli’, clay-modeling, spot photography, classical, folk and instrumental music and other categories, during next seven days.

Guest