Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 20: A two-day national seminar on “General Zorawar Singh: Revisiting his Life, Legacy and Legendary Conquests of the Himalayan Territories” was organized by the Department of History, University of Jammu in collaboration with the Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, Jammu, here today.
The chief guest on the occasion was Dr Karan Singh, former Member of Parliament who focused on the consolidation of this region by General Zorawar Singh and the sacrifices made by Dogras.
In his presidential remarks, Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor JU, said that the need of the hour is to review our curriculum and recognize where General Zorawar’s contributions can be added in the syllabus of schools and higher institutions. He further recommended that this must also be added to the syllabus of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commission (PSC).
The keynote address was presented by Dr Kuldeep C Agnihotri, former Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Himachal Pradesh. He spoke about Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India and its strategic importance and how General Zorawar Singh and his army reclaimed the cultural frontiers of India. He emphasized the necessity of situating the history of this region in the larger perspective.
Major General Gaurav Gautam, GoC, 10 Infantry Division & Major General Vikram Singh Sekhon, GoC, 26 Infantry Division, were the guests of honour. In their address, they underlined the fact that the greatest warrior General Zorawar is remembered across all the Army sections from all directions.
Earlier, Prof Suman Jamwal, Head, Department of History, JU provided the rationale for the seminar and emphasized the need for such a program. The theme of the seminar was introduced by Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, Seminar Convenor.
The seminar was attended by Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof Versha Mehta, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies; Prof Satnam Kour, Convenor, UTSAAH; Prof Sucheta Pathania, Dean, Faculty of Arts; Prof Prakash Anthal, Dean Students Welfare; Prof Monika Sethi, Chairperson, Campus Cultural Committee; Prof Virender Koundal, Director, DSRS; journalists and eminent members of the civil society, historians, students and scholars.
The inaugural session was conducted by Dr Jasleen Kour and Dr Madhulika Singh presented the vote of thanks.