About University
![JU Main Gate](/sites/default/files/inline-images/side-university-front.jpg)
Cradled in the lap of mountains at the foothills of auspicious Trikuta, besides the river Tawi at an altitude of 1030 ft. is Jammu. This 'city of temples' has many places...
The Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS), University of Jammu, in collaboration with Tribal Affairs Department of J&K UT, has organized a 1-Day Seminar on “Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Tribal Communities” as a part of Janjatye Gourav Divas celebrations on November 18, 2023 in the seminar hall of the DSRS.
The seminar has been started by lightening of the lamp and paying tribute to the Bharat Mata by the Chief Guest, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies JU and formerly Director IIM-Sirmour, Director DSRS, Prof. Virender Koundal, Janab Mushir Mirza, Director of Tribal Affairs Department J&K, Dr. Abdul Khabir, Dy-Director Tribal Affairs Department, Dr. Javed Rahi, prominent writer, and other dignitaries.
Director DSRS, Prof. Virender Koundal, formally welcome the Chief Guest, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, and other dignitaries and introduced the theme of the seminar. Thereafter, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra presided over the inaugural session while emphasising on tribal affairs focus of the government. She stressed that the university will encourage research on tribal affairs and expect the academia would take initiatives to submit their proposal related to this theme for wide spectrum of research. Thereafter Dr. Abdul Khabir provided an overview about the role tribal research institute and its mandate. He encouraged the researchers to submit their tribal research oriented proposals for generous grant to the Tribal Affairs Department J&K. In the end, Dr. Javed Rahi beamed his viewpoint on tribal by providing historical basics on the subject matter and the associated colonial governance politics with regard to it and post-independence different governments focus on tribal development.
In the second session, Dr. Javed Rahi chaired the second session and invited the four speakers, Dr. Nagina Kousar, Dr. Bhushan Kumar, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra, and Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam to present their views on the theme of the seminar.
In her presentation regarding “Tribal Subclan”, Dr. Nagina Kousar gave an elaborated explanation about the government’s plans to uplift the tribal subclans and new mechanism to uplift them. In the second presentation, Dr. Bhushan Kumar provided comparative study of Kathua and Chamba’s semi-nomad Gaddis and their occupation pattern and rural urban migration pattern. In the third presentation, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra flash views on Gujjar women’s role in livestock economy of Jammu and Reasi districts. And finally, the last paper was presented by Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam wherein he highlighted that the tribal Gujjar community extraordinary contribution in India’s security. He stressed that the Gujjar community provide first information of any doubtful activity along the LoC and have faced the wrath of the militancy hence they are real rashta bhakts and recognized as such.
After this, Director DSRS Prof. Virender Koundal has given concluding remarks and graced the speakers by presenting them certificates and mementos along with Dr. Javed Rahi. Faculty members of the DSRS, including Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam, Dr. Surinder Mohan, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra, Dr. Ranjan Sharma, Dr Tarseem Singh and many eminent academicians, journalists, member of the civil society and students have attended and participated in the seminar. Finally, Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam presented the vote of thanks. Dr. Ganesh Malhotra conducted the proceeding of the seminar in a graceful manner.