Goonj 2026 culminates with awards for Institutional Excellence, Sportsmanship and Cultural Brilliance at JU

 

Jammu, February 28: The two-day youth festival Goonj 2026 concluded with a vibrant valedictory ceremony at the University of Jammu, with an overwhelming gathering of students and faculty filling the Rajendra Singh Auditorium to capacity. The function was graced by Prof. Bechan Lal, former Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University of Jammu and Advisor to the Governor of Assam, as the Chief Guest. The programme was presided over by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, while Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar attended as Special Guest.

 

In his valedictory address, Chief Guest Prof. Bechan Lal connected the spirit of Goonj with the larger responsibility of educational institutions toward the overall well-being of students. He observed that while universities are steadily improving in research output and academic recognition, equal importance must be given to creating emotionally supportive and intellectually stimulating environments. Referring to the increasing pressures faced by youth, he remarked that platforms like Goonj serve as vital spaces where students can step beyond academic stress and express their creativity, curiosity, and individuality. Such initiatives, he said, play a crucial role in strengthening students’ confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose.

 

Prof. Bechan Lal emphasised that education cannot be confined to the race for medals or ranks alone. True learning, he noted, lies in enquiry-driven engagement, discussion, and experiential exposure. Goonj, in this context, becomes more than a competition, it becomes a movement that allows students to discover hidden talents and reconnect with their inner passions. Congratulating the winners, he encouraged all participants to view both success and failure as part of growth, reminding them that perseverance and self-belief are the real foundations of achievement.

 

Presiding over the function, Prof. Umesh Rai congratulated the winners across all categories and appreciated the dedication of every participant, and organizing teams. He underlined that the true spirit of Goonj lies in collective effort and institutional belonging. Competitions, he observed, are meaningful because they encourage discipline, teamwork, and healthy collaboration while reinforcing the bond between students and their University.

 

 He described the institution as a shared home that shapes identity and lifelong connection, urging departments to continue preparing with enthusiasm for future editions so that Goonj evolves into an even stronger academic and cultural tradition.

 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and highlighted the vision behind Goonj as a platform to channelize youthful energy into constructive and creative pursuits.

 

 Presenting the detailed report of the two-day festival, Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee outlined the diverse range of literary, cultural, creative, and sports competitions conducted, and appreciated the coordinated efforts of coordinators,  faculty members and volunteers. 

 

The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Sarika Manhas, Co-Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee, who thanked the dignitaries, organizing teams, and students for making Goonj 2026 a resounding success.

 

Proceedings of the function were conducted by Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Member Campus Cultural Committee.

 

Among others present on the occasion were Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, Prof. Meena Sharma, Chairperson, Utsaah – The Clubs, Prof. Pankaj Shrivastava, Director, CD&OE, Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean Sciences, Ajay Sharma, SP South, along with Deans, Rectors, Directors, Heads of Teaching Departments, faculty members, officers, office bearers of various associations, staff, scholars, and students.

 

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of medals and awards amid applause and celebration, marking the successful culmination of Goonj- 2026.

 

Result of various Competitive Events organized under Goonj-2026

 

The results of the Institutional Best Category based on the cumulative scores of Round I and Round II are:

 

 The Business School (TBS) secured the 1st Prize, followed by the Department of Geology with the 2nd Prize, the Department of Zoology with the 3rd Prize, while the Department of Journalism and Media Studies received the Consolation Prize. The awards carried cash prizes of ₹4 lakh for the 1st position, ₹3 lakh for the 2nd position, ₹2 lakh for the 3rd position, and ₹1 lakh for the Consolation Prize, recognising outstanding departmental performance and collective excellence.

 

Results under Cultural Events :

 

Event name: Poster Making Third Prize Aseeabjot Kour GCW Parade Second Prize Urvashi Tickoo GCW Parade First Prize Rupinder Singh GDC RS Pura.

 

Event name: Light Vocal Solo Third Prize Pranav Pandita Department of Math JU Second Prize Ram Lal IMFA First Ritisha Manhas GCW Parade

 

Event name: Photography Third Prize Sapna Devi GCW Parade Second Prize Virender Pratap GDC Doda First Prize Sheikh Numan Bin Masood Department of Law. JU

 

Event name: Short Film Making Third Prize CD&OE Economics Department Second Prize GDC RS PURA First Prize GDC Doda.

 

Event name: Elocution Third Prize Samiya Sharma GCW Parde Second Prize Ojeswi Rajput GCW Parade First Prize Amanpreet GDC Udhampur .

 

Event name: Mehandi Third Prize Shefali Sharma GCW Parade Second Prize Enamika Sharma Department of Sociology JU First Prize Bhumika Department of Law JU

 

Event name: Skit Third Prize GCW Parade Second Prize Cluster University of Jammu First Prize CD&OE JU.

 

Event name: Group Folk dance Third Prize Department of economics JU Second Prize CD&OE JU First Prize GCW Parade.

 

Event name: Self Composed Poetry Third Prize Nitish Department of Dogri JU Second Prize Sumeet Kumar Centre for Distance & Online Education JU First Ansh Khajuria GDC Udhampur.

 

Results under Sports Category:

 

Event name Basket ball (Men) Third Prize GDC kathua Second Prize BDC Udhampur First Prize PG. Department of Jammu University 

 

Event name: Kabaddi (Men) Second Prize PG. Deptt. JU First Prize GDC Kathua 

Event name Handball  Second Prize GDC Udhampur First Prize PG.Deptt. Ju

 

Event name Kho-Kho (Women) Third Prize GDC  Kathua Second Prize PG.Department JU First Prize GCW Udhampur

 

Event name Volley ball( Women) Third Prize GCW Parade Second Prize PG. Deppt. JU First Prize GDC Ramnagar

 

Badminton (Women) Third Prize MIER Jammu Second Prize GCW Parade First Prize PG.Deppt JU