Mansi Mantoo
Goonj-University of Jammu’s flagship annual festival of culture, literature, and sports-is all set to find a grander stage. Beyond the confines of spiritually blissful, scenic and mesmerizing Jammu and Kashmir, its echo will resonate across the nation, carrying the soul of a land that shines as India’s crowning jewel.
The University of Jammu has always been at the forefront of promoting holistic education that goes beyond academic excellence. It believes in nurturing talent, encouraging creativity, and motivating students to embrace diverse cultural and intellectual pursuits. The maiden event of Goonj took off with much fanfare to showcase and exchange best practices, fostering synergy and institutional advancement with the inaugural edition graced by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the JU, making it a landmark event in the academic and extracurricular landscape.
Aligned with the vision of NEP 2020, Goonj promotes holistic learning, encouraging students to explore their creative, literary, and athletic potential. The University of Jammu, along with its off-site campuses, actively participates, presenting innovative academic and extracurricular initiatives. Students from the Cluster University of Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, and affiliated colleges of University of Jammu engage in cultural & literary events and sports competitions to cultivate collaboration, skill enhancement, and a spirit of excellence among participants.
Conceived by Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, Higher Education Council, this annual festival aligns with the University’s commitment to bridging gaps between students and providing a space where creativity thrives.
Goonj is in tune with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who believes in empowering youth by providing dynamic platforms for talent, creativity and excellence to flourish. It also aligns with the vision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister and Pro Chancellor Omar Abdullah, both of whom keep encouraging young minds to excel not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities that nurture leadership, innovation and cultural expression. This initiative is poised to inspire, celebrate and amplify the voices of youth like never before.
The festival was organized under the visionary leadership of the Vice Chancellor, JU Prof Umesh Rai, who firmly believes in breaking barriers in education and encouraging students to explore their true passions, be it in sports, cultural activities, or literary pursuits.
The festival has been designed not only as a platform for students to display their skills but also as a means to promote dialogue, teamwork, and collaboration. It places a significant emphasis on the amalgamation of various cultures and traditions from Jammu and Kashmir in general and the Jammu region in particular, allowing students to experience and appreciate the rich heritage, art forms, and traditions of their land. While Goonj is undoubtedly a celebration of talent and competition, its purpose goes far beyond just winning trophies and accolades. The festival serves as an opportunity for personal and collective growth, enabling students to step out of their comfort zones, encourages participants to take risks, express themselves confidently, and challenge their creative limits. Goonj builds leadership and teamwork skills as many events require collaboration and strategic thinking, helping students develop essential interpersonal and leadership qualities. Whether it’s through debates, extempore competitions, or literary events, Goonj cultivates an environment of intellectual stimulation and analytical reasoning. The festival provides a space for students to interact with their counterparts from other institutions, promoting friendships, collaborations, and a sense of academic camaraderie. Goonj serves as an important platform for university departments to highlight academic achievements, unique initiatives, research endeavors, and innovative teaching methodologies, thereby contributing to the overall academic enrichment of the university. By creating an environment where academic excellence meets extracurricular brilliance, the event strengthens the University’s reputation as an institution that believes in holistic development.
As Goonj continues to grow, the University of Jammu remains committed to enhancing its scope and impact. The aim is to expand participation beyond the Jammu region, inviting students from other universities and institutions across the country to be part of this grand celebration. Encouraged by its huge success, Vice Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai has indicated to broaden the ambit of Goonj to unite hearts across the nation by providing youth a big platform. “In future, we want to make it a truly national festival that nurtures talent and encourages cultural exchange”, he says.
To achieve this, the University plans to organize the next series of Goonj on a larger scale, with activities spanning the university’s seven off-site campuses and culminating in a grand event at the main campus. Rightly so, as the festival emphasis on inclusivity, talent recognition, and cross-disciplinary engagement will continue to make it a landmark event in the university’s calendar, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
GOONJ 2025-AN OVERVIEW
The University of Jammu was filled with energy and enthusiasm as Goonj 2025, the two-day Mega Youth Festival, unfolded on March 19, 2025, brought together students from various teaching departments, offsite-campuses, affiliated colleges of the JU and Universities of Jammu region, giving them a platform to display their artistic, literary, and sporting skills while celebrating cultural and academic achievements.
The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, as the Chief Guest, with Dr. S.P. Vaid, IPS, Former DGP, JK Police as the Guest of Honour.
In his inaugural address, the Vice Chancellor highlighted Goonj 2025 as a platform that brings together culture, sports, and academics, allowing students to explore their potential beyond the classroom. He noted that such events encourage collaboration across disciplines, helping students think critically, express themselves creatively, and engage in meaningful learning experiences. He emphasized that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but about developing a well-rounded perspective that prepares students for the future.
Prof. Rai spoke about the university’s efforts to integrate innovative teaching and learning practices, applauding the Best Practices for offering a space where departments could share their most impactful initiatives. Acknowledging the remarkable efforts of faculty and students in showcasing their best academic practices, he called upon everyone to take ownership of their institution.
In his address, Dr. S.P. Vaid highlighted the importance of teamwork, creativity, and healthy competition in shaping students’ overall development. Reflecting on his experiences, he spoke about the importance of collaboration across disciplines and institutions to drive national growth.
“India’s progress depends on removing traditional barriers and working together. The showcase of Best Practices at Goonj is a great initiative, demonstrating how institutions can share knowledge and ideas to improve learning and innovation,” added.
The festival featured cultural, literary, and sports events, where students showcased their skills in elocution, poster making, short film making, light vocal solo, self-composed poetry, skit, and folk dance. The sports segment included basketball, volleyball, handball, kho-kho, table tennis, and athletics.
A key highlight of the festival was the Best Practices Showcase, where various university teaching departments presented their academic and research innovations.
The competitions witnessed outstanding performances from students, bringing forward their talent and expression:
The festival concluded with a grand valedictory function on March 20, 2025, with Prof. Umesh Rai as Chief Guest, B. R. Sharma, IAS State Election Commissioner as Guest of Honour and Abdul Majid Butt, Director Finance, Higher Education Department, JK UT as Special Guest. The Vice Chancellor emphasized that Goonj had reached students across Jammu and Kashmir and should expand further in the coming years. “The next edition of Goonj will be organized on a larger scale, covering all seven off-site campuses of the university and culminating in a grand finale at the main campus,” Prof. Rai announced. B.R. Sharma and Abdul Majid Butt praised Goonj for providing a space where students from different backgrounds could come together, showcase their abilities, and engage in cultural exchange. As Goonj 2025 came to an end, it left a lasting impact, highlighting the creative spirit, academic excellence, and enthusiasm of students, making it a memorable event for all participants.
(The author is Media Officer, JU)
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