Srinagar, Oct 28 (KNS): 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, describing the initiative as an important step towards preserving Jammu and Kashmir's linguistic, cultural and intellectual heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the Centre would bring together regional studies, cultural research, linguistic preservation and emotional intelligence to strengthen historical and human connections across the region.
He said Jammu and Kashmir's rich civilisational heritage could not be understood merely through its geographical boundaries, as its identity had evolved through centuries of languages, traditions, folklore, religious practices and shared experiences.
“A region cannot be understood through geography alone. Languages, folklore, cultural practices, arts, faith, traditions and lived experiences together shape the identity of a place,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said integrating regional knowledge with emotional intelligence would form the foundation of the new institution and contribute towards a deeper understanding of society and its people.
Highlighting the Centre's proposed activities, Sinha said it would undertake preservation of historical manuscripts, creation of digital archives, linguistic mapping, ethnographic research and studies related to pilgrimage, tourism, mountain ecology and local entrepreneurship.
The institution would also provide fellowships to young scholars, encouraging research into the region's diverse cultural and intellectual traditions.
The Lieutenant Governor identified four major factors underscoring the relevance of such an institution in contemporary times, including balancing global connectivity with local identity, preserving endangered languages and traditional knowledge systems, adopting interdisciplinary approaches to emerging challenges and recognising the importance of emotional well-being in education.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He said technological advancement must go hand in hand with the preservation of cultural roots and human values.
Referring to the growing influence of artificial intelligence, Sinha said universities must prepare students and researchers for a rapidly changing world without losing sight of human understanding and ethical responsibility.
He observed that emotional intelligence and technological capabilities were complementary and that future-ready educational institutions must promote continuous learning, adaptability, ethical awareness and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed hope that the main Centre at the University of Jammu and its Kashmir Chapter would emerge as model institutions for research, cultural preservation and human-centred development.
He said the initiative could also enhance the academic and research standing of universities in Jammu and Kashmir at the national and international levels.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu Prof Umesh Rai, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Dean Research Studies Dr Neelu Rohmetra, Director Sub Office Kashmir Dr Guneet Singh Sudan and Dean Planning and Development Prof Sangita Gupta attended the ceremony.
SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Jatin Kishore, IGNCA Regional Director Shruti Awasthi, faculty members and senior officials of the civil and police administration were also present. (KNS)