• Centre to focus on regional studies, culture, dialects and emotional intelligence
• Initiative to preserve manuscripts, endangered languages and traditional knowledge
• Stresses integration of cultural heritage with technology and interdisciplinary research
Srinagar, Oct 28:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the Kashmir Chapter of the Centre for Regional Studies, Culture, Dialects and Emotional Intelligence of the University of Jammu.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the initiative would strengthen cultural, historical and human connections while preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse intellectual and linguistic traditions.
He said a region could not be understood through geography alone, as languages, folklore, cultural practices, arts, faith, traditions and lived experiences collectively shape its identity.
“The integration of regional knowledge with emotional intelligence would form the soul of the new Centre and help create a deeper understanding of society and the people,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the Centre’s proposed activities, including manuscript preservation, the creation of digital archives, linguistic mapping, ethnographic studies, research on pilgrimage and tourism, mountain ecology, local entrepreneurship and fellowships for young scholars.
He said these initiatives would help build a shared repository of knowledge for future generations.
Sinha underlined the need to balance global connectivity with local identity, preserve endangered languages and traditional knowledge systems, and adopt interdisciplinary approaches to address emerging challenges.
He said technological advancement should go hand in hand with efforts to preserve cultural roots and human values.
The Centre is expected to provide a platform for documenting the region’s linguistic and cultural diversity and encouraging research into its historical and social traditions.
Highlighting the changing role of universities amid rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, Sinha said emotional intelligence and technological capabilities complemented each other.
He stressed the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, ethical awareness and multidisciplinary collaboration in preparing institutions and students for emerging challenges.
He said emotional well-being was also becoming increasingly important in education and should be considered alongside technological and academic development.
The Lieutenant Governor said the main Centre at the University of Jammu’s Jammu campus and its Kashmir chapter had the potential to develop into a model for research, cultural preservation and human-centred development.
He said the initiative could contribute to knowledge creation while enhancing the academic standing of universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Dean Research Studies Dr.NeeluRohmetra, Director of the University’s Kashmir Sub Office Dr.Guneet Singh Sudan, Dean Planning and Development Prof. Sangita Gupta and faculty members attended the ceremony.
SSP Srinagar Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Jatin Kishore, Regional Director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Shruti Awasthi and senior civil and police administration officials were also present.
