Awantipora : The Chief Justice, High Court of J & K and Ladakh Pankaj Mithal on Thursday presided over the valedictory function of the two-day International Conference on “Society, Culture and Social Change: Kashmir and Beyond” held at Islamic University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Indian Sociological Society.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office of the University Sixteen (16 ) technical sessions were held across 6 varsity locations. Researchers from local, national and other countries shared their findings in all 16 technical sessions, both offline and online on varied areas of Sociology. More than 30 papers were addressed on Global Village and Emerging Challenges. The work of researchers emphasize the well being of citizens by transformation in order to attain peace and stability. Prof. Shweta Prasad of the Indian Sociological Society and Prof. Haneef Bismi from Sydney served as the session chairmen. Prof. Dr. Anjum Fazili, HOD Community Medicine, SKIMS, Prof. Dr. Rouf ur Rashid Koul, SKIMS, and Prof. Dr. Rohul Jabeen Shah, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, served as the session chairpersons. Thirty researchers presented their findings, some of whom discussed the unmet medical needs that must be strongly considered, especially in the wake of a health emergency. Researchers presented their work on gender equality and what concrete steps need to be taken to bring about gender equity during the technical session on “Gender Inclusion and Development.” Additionally, the rights of women were emphasized.
The theme was chaired by Prof Lily Want, Director, Averroes Centre, Prof Ajailiu Naumai, ISS, Dr Shazia Manzoor, University of Kashmir. A symposium on the theme “Religion, Diversity, and Nation Building” was also held. Prof Abha Chauhan, President, ISS was the Chair. The Chief Guest of the Valedictory function was Chief Justice, High Court of J& K and Ladakh Pankaj Mithal and Guest of Honour was Prof Mehraj ud din, former VC, CUK. Speaking at the event, Prof Mehraj ud din, former VC of CUK, said that we must work together to bring back our past glory, values, and rich cultural history for the greater good of society. Moreover, he presided over the last session of the conference on “Kashmiri and the Indian Diaspora.”
The Chief Justice in his address stated that Kashmir is known for its kashmiriyat. The distinctiveness of Kashmir is found in its people, who have golden hearts, as well as its culture and natural beauty. Kashmir is renowned for its rich cultural legacy, traditions, wedding ceremonies, enduring sufi music, and complicated culture in addition to its natural beauty. He continued by saying that society’s identity must not be surrendered in order to accommodate modern disruptions. Speaking of globalisation, he claimed that it had sparked a revolution and that social media had destroyed all distinctions based on race, ethnicity, caste, and religion. He compliments IUST for hosting this international conference that invited people from all parts of India and abroad to discuss society, culture, and its development based on their productive research.
Vice Chancellor of IUST, Prof Shakil Romshoo, also spoke at the event and stated, “as an academic community, we need to strategize our policy making on some of the current concerns in order to deal with the problems facing the country.”
The world conference, according to ISS President Abha Chauhan, has been a fantastic resource for learning about our composite culture.
