LG Sinha Lays Foundation Stone for Kashmir Chapter of University of Jammu’s Centre for Regional Studies
Srinagar, October 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today laid the foundation stone of the Kashmir Chapter of the Centre for Regional Studies, Culture, Dialects and Emotional Intelligence, an initiative of the University of Jammu aimed at preserving the region’s cultural heritage, linguistic diversity and traditional knowledge systems.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha described the centre as a forward-looking initiative that would strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural, historical and human connections while safeguarding its rich intellectual and linguistic traditions.
Emphasising that a region’s identity extends beyond its geographical boundaries, the Lieutenant Governor said languages, folklore, cultural practices, arts, faith, traditions and lived experiences collectively shape the character of a society.
He said integrating regional knowledge with emotional intelligence would form the foundation of the centre’s work and promote a deeper understanding of the region’s people, culture and social fabric.
Sinha highlighted the centre’s proposed activities, including manuscript preservation, the creation of digital archives, linguistic mapping, ethnographic research, studies on pilgrimage and tourism, mountain ecology, local entrepreneurship and fellowships for young scholars. He said these initiatives would help establish a shared repository of knowledge for future generations.
The Lieutenant Governor identified four key considerations underscoring the relevance of the centre: balancing global connectivity with local identity, preserving endangered languages and traditional knowledge systems, adopting interdisciplinary approaches to complex challenges, and recognising the importance of emotional well-being in education.
He stressed that while technology continues to transform society, protecting cultural roots and human values remains equally important.
Referring to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and technological change, Sinha said emotional intelligence and technological capabilities were complementary rather than competing forces. He emphasised the need for educational institutions to promote lifelong learning, adaptability, ethical awareness and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the main centre at the University of Jammu’s Jammu campus, along with its Kashmir Chapter, could develop into a model institution for research, knowledge creation, cultural preservation and human-centred development.
He said the initiative also had the potential to enhance the national and international standing of universities in Jammu and Kashmir by encouraging research rooted in the region’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
Among those present at the foundation stone-laying ceremony were University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Professor Umesh Rai, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg, Dean Research Studies Dr Neelu Rohmetra, Director of the university’s Kashmir sub-office Dr Guneet Singh Sudan, and Dean of Planning and Development Professor Sangita Gupta, besides faculty members.
Srinagar SSP Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Budgam Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Regional Director Shruti Awasthi, and senior civil and police administration officials also attended the event.anb
