Srinagar, Aug 10:(KNS)  Kashmir University’s National Service Scheme (NSS) and Department of Students Welfare (DSW) on Tuesday organised two separate events in connection with ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad inaugurated a day-long cleanliness drive, organised by the NSS in the lawns of Naseem Bagh campus.
Addressing NSS volunteers and university employees on the occasion, Prof Talat said protecting and improving the natural environment is one of the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution and academic institutions have to lead by example to realise this objective.
The Vice-Chancellor said the post-Covid19 scenario has put a spotlight on personal and environmental hygiene and calls for a collective effort to keep the surroundings neat and clean.
He said students and teachers have to assume a frontal role in generating community-level awareness about the importance of clean environs.
Dean Academic Affairs Prof Farooq A Masoodi and Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, who were guests of honour, also spoke on the importance of personal and environmental hygiene for the wellbeing of people.
NSS Programme Coordinator Dr Mussavir Ahmad underlined the aims and objectives of the cleanliness drive.
Besides NSS programme officers, senior KU officials and academics including Chief Proctor Prof Showket A Shah, Dean Students Welfare Prof Raies A Qadri, Director DLL Prof Ghulam Hassan Mir, Director CWSR Prof Tabassum Firdous and Provost Prof Sheikh Mohammad Aejaz were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Department Students Welfare (DSW) organised a day-long painting competition on environment and climate change in connection with ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.  
35 students from different departments of the university and its affiliated colleges participated in the competition.
Prof Talat, Dr Nisar, Prof Masoodi and Prof Qadri interacted with the student artists and encouraged them to participate in such competitions.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Qadri said various important themes were chosen for the painting competition, including global warming, climate change, drug de-addiction and mental health.
University Cultural Officer Shahid Ali Khan said a series of awareness and competitive events are being organised by the DSW and five top participants in each category will be awarded trophies.(KNS)