Sikh Progressive Front Hails Vice-Chancellor’s Initiative to Celebrate Jammu’s Literary and Cultural Heritage
11/03/2026
Jammu, March 11 (KIP)-The Sikh Progressive Front has expressed deep appreciation for the initiative taken by the University of Jammu in organizing, for the first time, a significant literary and cultural programme titled “Jammuiyat: Sahitya–Sanskriti Samagam”, scheduled to be held from 13th to 14th March 2026 at the University campus.
In a statement issued here today by S Balvinder Singh President SPF along with S Surinder Singh Wazir Vice President, S Manjeet Singh Bali Secretary, S. Rajinder Singh Sudan joint Secretary, S Paramjit Singh, S Janak Singh the Front particularly lauded the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umesh Rai, for initiating this meaningful platform that seeks to celebrate and reflect upon the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Jammu region.
The SPF stated that Jammu has historically remained a vibrant centre of cultural confluence and literary creativity, where diverse communities have lived together in harmony for centuries. The concept of “Jammuiyat,” the statement noted, represents the spirit of coexistence, mutual respect, shared belonging, and cultural harmony that characterizes the region’s social fabric.
The Front observed that the cultural ethos of Jammu has found expression through a wide range of regional languages, including Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari, Siraji and Paddari, as well as through various artistic traditions such as poetry, folklore, oral storytelling, theatre, folk music and devotional expressions. Over generations, numerous writers, poets, scholars and artists have contributed immensely to shaping the literary and cultural landscape of the region.
The Sikh Progressive Front further remarked that in the present era of rapid globalisation, digital transformation and changing social patterns, regional languages and traditional cultural expressions face significant challenges. In such a context, initiatives like “Jammuiyat: Sahitya–Sanskriti Samagam” assume great importance as they provide a structured and meaningful platform for celebrating, critically engaging with, and preserving the region’s literary and cultural heritage.
The Front expressed hope that the two-day Samagam will bring together scholars, writers, artists, students and cultural practitioners from across the region, thereby fostering intellectual dialogue and inter-generational exchange. Such forums, it added, not only encourage emerging voices but also help strengthen cultural confidence rooted in pluralism and shared heritage.
The Sikh Progressive Front also noted that the programme is expected to promote discussions on regional literature, languages and artistic traditions while actively engaging the youth in conversations on identity, creativity and cultural continuity. By connecting literature, culture and younger generations, the festival has the potential to rekindle pride in the composite cultural identity of Jammu.
Concluding the statement, the Front expressed optimism that initiatives of this nature will contribute significantly towards the preservation and promotion of Jammu’s rich cultural traditions and will further strengthen the enduring values of harmony, diversity and coexistence that define the true spirit of Jammuiyat.