Karra presides over District President’s meeting of Kashmir region
s ongoing Vote Chori signature campaign, discusses political situation in the aftermath of recent Rajya Sabha Elections
28/10/2025
Srinagar, October 27 (KIP)-Laying emphasis over invigorating party activities in every district amid ongoing signature campaign against Vote Chori, besides the ongoing indigenous movement Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq for restoration of Statehood, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra has said that Congress always played crucial role with respect to inclusive development, peace, stability and wellbeing of people
JKPCC President also said that the Party shall continue to fight for lost dignity and restoration of Statehood to J&K, which is our right and won’t be allowed to get undermined by the BJP Govt at Centre. We will continue to fight for J&K’s prosperity and dignity. There will be no compromise or rest by it (Congress) till the mission Statehood is accomplished, for that matter,Party will deal with the challenges and conspiracies in a democratic manner.
Karra was presiding over District Presidents meeting of Kashmir province at Srinagar Party office in which the current political situation in the aftermath of recently concluded Rajya Sabha Elections came under discussion, besides various others matter pertaining to both the regions of Jammu as well as Kashmir, besides various other organizational matters were threadbare discussed. The meeting resolved to launch further public outreach progrmmes in order to connect with the people to apprise them about the Party’s selfless services and sacrifices given for the wellbeing of people.
The district presidents present in the meeting gave feedback to the PCC President about the current socio-political scenario obtaining in their respective districts. They also apprised him about the mood of the Party cadres post denial of safe Rajya Sabha seat, terming the move as unfortunate and against the spirit of alliance on the part of Ally, they rued.
The meeting discussed various upcoming programmes in the pipeline both National and State level, emphasizing the need to give impetus to the preparations to ensure that these (programmes) are successful.
Speaking on the occasion, JKPCC President said that District Presidents have a crucial role to play, urged upon them to further strengthen the Party and serve people and work for their development to the best of their abilities.
Congress believes in serving people, it is our responsibility to highlight every big or small issue confronting people for their resolution, Karra added and said that Party’s Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq movement shall continue till the full Statehood to J&K is restored.
GSO Abid Kashmiri, Districts President Irfan Naqib, Zaffar Farooq Salati, Abdul Rashid Lone Umer Jaan, Mushtaq Ahmad Tantray, Er.Muzaffar Dar, Reyaz Manhas, Javed Ahmad Mir, Media Coordinator Dr.Audil Farooq Mir Lasjan and others were present in the meeting.
CUKashmir, ICSSR starts CBP on ‘Academic and Research Excellence in Higher Education’
Ganderbal,October 27 (KIP)-Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath kick-started the two-week Capacity Building Programme (CBP) on “Academic and Research Excellence in Higher Education”, organised by the varsity and sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), at Tulmulla Campus here on Monday.
Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar (CUS), Prof. Mohammad Mubeen, Dean, School of Legal Studies (SLS), Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, Dean, School of Languages (SoL) and Course Director, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, and Dean School of Education (SoE) and Director DIQA, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, I/c Controller of Examinations, Prof. C Naseema, participants from across the country, faculty members and research scholars were present.
During the inaugural session, Dean, SoL, and Course Director, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, in her welcome address, described the programme as a strategic investment in intellectual capital designed to empower educators to adapt to the changing academic landscape. “We live in a time of unprecedented educational transformation. NEP 2020 calls for holistic, interdisciplinary, and lifelong learning. As faculty, we must go beyond mere information delivery to shaping inquisitive, innovative, and ethical minds,” she said. She outlined that the two-week programme would cover three major areas: pedagogy, research methodology, and data analysis, with a strong emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and modern analytical tools such as SPSS and regression analysis. “Incorporating indigenous wisdom with modern research methods is vital. It helps us stay rooted in our traditions while remaining globally competitive,” she explained.
In his address, Dean, SLS, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, discussed the evolution of teaching and research in higher education. “When I began my career, teaching was considered mandatory and research optional. Today, that notion is reversed. A teacher is now twice a student—first to learn and then to teach,” he remarked. He emphasized that teaching is an art that must be cultivated through sincerity, passion, and continuous learning. Prof. Mir warned that technology, while empowering, also exposes unprepared teachers. “The most vulnerable species today is the teacher. If we don’t update ourselves, our students will update us,” he quipped, drawing appreciative laughter from the audience. He called for integrating technology with research and urged participants to embrace collaborative, honest, and ethical inquiry.
Speaking on the occasion, Dean SoE, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, said the NEP-2020 has set in motion a transformative agenda-one that seeks to redefine education, as a holistic, flexible and multidisciplinary process deeply rooted in the Indian Knowledge System, while preparing learners for the challenges of a globalised world. “NEP-2020 envisions educators who can seamlessly integrate pedagogical innovation, research orientation and technological fluency. The spirit of this CBP is to equip our teachers and researchers with knowledge, tools and mindset to respond meaningfully to this evolving landscape,” Prof. Syed Zahoor Geelani added.
In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor, CUS, Prof. Mohammad Mubeen, reflected on the evolution of India’s higher education—from the 1986 National Policy of Education to NEP 2020—and its ongoing transformation. “Earlier education was largely exam-oriented and rigidly structured. Students were expected to reproduce class notes rather than think critically. NEP 2020 has changed that paradigm—it envisions education that creates thinkers, innovators, and responsible citizens,” he said. Emphasizing that capacity building is the foundation of quality education, he said “Teacher training and academic self-reflection are crucial. Every teacher must ask—what kind of teacher will I be remembered as when I retire?”
“Our education system must produce knowledge creators, not just degree holders. Only then can India move from being a knowledge-consuming to a knowledge-producing nation,” he concluded.
In his presidential address, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, said the programme aims to enhance pedagogical skills, research competencies, and data-driven inquiry among faculty members, in consonance with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He lauded the organisers and highlighted the importance of aligning academic and research pursuits with institutional development plans. “Any institution striving for excellence must move through four stages—formative, consolidation, advancement, and finally, eminence,” he remarked. “To reach the stage of eminence, universities must craft a clear Institutional Development Plan—not just proposals under schemes, but a visionary document that defines where the institution aspires to be in the next 15 years.”
Co-course director, Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal conducted the programme and said, the CBP will feature interactive sessions, and expert lectures by eminent scholars and practitioners. He added that the programme will enable participants to refine their research and teaching skills. He also proposed the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Registrar, Prof. Nisar Ahmad Mir, senior functionaries, and all the organising committee members for their valuable support and guidance. Thereafter technical sessions were conducted by the experts.