By King RJ
Bhadarwah: With an aim to inculcate sense of belonging for the nation and promote communal harmony among youth beside to boost adventure tourism in Chenab region, Indian Army’s 4 Rashtriya Rifles in collaboration with Bhadarwah Campus organising 5 day’s Chenab Valley Youth Festival ‘SANGAM-2022’ at Bhadarwah, which commences on Monday.
The 5 days mega youth festival SANGAM-2022 was inaugurated by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM, Corps Commander, 16 Corps, who was the chief guest, in presence of Maj Gen Ajay Kumar, GOC, CIF (D), CO 4RR Col Rajat Parmar, Prof Rahul Gupta Rector Bhadarwah Campus by lighting of traditional lamps and releasing pigeons.
The festival with theme of ‘National Integration and Harmony’, in which 1200 students from 34 Colleges, universities and satellite Campuses are participating is being organised at Bhadarwah Campus of Jammu University.
ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary, DFO Bhadarwah Chander Shekhar, ERO Bhadarwah Campus Arif Khateeb, SDPO Bhadarwah Meer Gafoor, SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Singh, officials of Civil Administration, Police Department, CRPF, Prominent Citizens of Bhadarwah, Principals and Teachers of Colleges/Schools were also present on the occasion.
Students present cultural items depicting culture and tradition of Chenab Valley, beside a skit on Army, depicting their determination for the nation on the opening Ceremony of the event.
GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen Manjinder Singh while lauding the role of Army and Bhadarwah Campus said that it's a iconic festival and involve our youths in a positive activity. He congratulated the Army and Bhadarwah Campus for resuming this colourful bonanza.
“The cultural programme presented by the students depicted mutual harmony and brotherhood which is an integral part of the culture of Chenab region,” he said adding that the people of this region especially youths should rise above the communal politics and secure a bright future for themselves and for this region.“Youth festival is an appropriate platform to showcase talent. We hope the festival is successful and every year we can increase the stature and scale of the programme. The university has put in all efforts to make the programme successful,” Singh added.
He while emphasising on youth of this region said that the youths of the Chenab valley should play a vital role in making this region a hub of higher learning.
Rector Bhadarwah Campus Prof. Rahul Gupta in his welcome address congratulated the youth for resuming of SANGAM-2022.
He also highlighted the role of youth in developing the Nation and importance of Army in one’s life. 
‘SANGAM’ is the iconic youth festival of Jammu and Kashmir and this used to be the most important and eagerly awaited event of the annual calender of Jammu University. But due to unfavourable circumstances which emerged due to pandemic it remained suspended for three years.
The youth festival provides a suitable platform for the youth to showcase their talent across domains of sports, culture and fine arts with an aim of spreading the message of peace & communal harmony.
The participants will also get an opportunity to try their hands at various adventure activities like Paragliding, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, Rappling & Zip Lining.
This unique festival also provides students with an opportunity to interact with one another and learn good values and experience the local cultural heritage.
A total of 40 events (outdoor and indoor activities) including Debate, Sketching, Clay Modelling, Photography, Athletics, Chess, Badminton for girls, Quiz,Painting, Marathon, Volleyball and Cricket etc will be conducted during the 5 days of Youth Festival. The traditional folk dance and other cultural programs performed by students mesmerised the audience with their talent. An attractive ‘Chho Dance’ was performed by Adivasi soldiers from army. The enthusiasm and motivation of the participating students was very encouraging.
Such cultural and sporting events are a great media towards aligning the perception of youth towards a positive end and portray an overall image of the Indian Army as a harbinger of peace.
