17th PRAKRITI International Documentary Film Festival concludes at JU 

Jammu, February 24: The valedictory function of the 17th PRAKRITI: International Documentary Film Festival concluded on a high note at the University of Jammu, marking the successful culmination of two days of powerful screenings and meaningful dialogue.

Padma Shri awardee and distinguished alumnus Prof. Lalit Magotra graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The function was presided over by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umesh Rai. Prof. Parikshit Singh Manhas, Director, Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC); Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; and Shri Sunil Mehru, Joint Director, CEC, were present on the dais.

Addressing the gathering,  Chief Guest Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra described the 17th Prakriti International Documentary Film Festival as a landmark moment for the University of Jammu. Expressing gratitude to the University and the Consortium for Educational Communication, he said the festival was not merely a screening of films but a celebration of ideas, creativity, and social responsibility. 

Prof. Magotra emphasized that universities cannot remain isolated from society; they must both draw strength from social traditions and respond to social challenges. Highlighting the festival’s themes—Environment, Development, Human Rights, and Swachh Bharat, he noted their deep relevance to contemporary India. 

He urged students to see documentaries not only as sources of information but as a serious creative discipline, encouraging them to observe storytelling techniques, visual language, and the power of silence in cinema. Calling the festival a platform for awareness as well as artistic growth, he said such initiatives sensitize young minds and inspire them to contribute meaningfully to society through knowledge, creativity, and responsible action.

Speaking on the occasion, the  Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umesh Rai, reflected on the deeper purpose of organizing such an event within a university campus. He observed that the festival was not merely a cultural programme but an academic intervention that compels institutions to rethink the way knowledge is delivered. While universities teach biodiversity, environmental science, and health studies in detail, he noted that they often overlook the practical wisdom present in everyday life. Citing examples such as the medicinal value of moringa, mulethi, and common kitchen spices, he emphasized that India’s indigenous knowledge systems must find meaningful space within formal education.

Prof. Rai underlined that true learning is experiential and rooted in the natural world, emerging through observation, engagement, and responsibility. He stated that documentary cinema plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between theory and lived reality by bringing real stories, real struggles, and real innovations into the academic space. Such platforms, he said, help students see beyond textbooks and understand society in a more grounded and sensitive manner. Education, he asserted, should not remain confined to information; it must inspire awareness, responsibility, and purposeful action.

In his address, Prof. Parikshit Singh Manhas, Director, CEC, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the University of Jammu for graciously hosting the 17th Prakriti International Documentary Film Festival and for extending exceptional cooperation and warmth to the CEC team. Speaking with pride as an alumnus of the University, he described the occasion as personally significant and professionally meaningful. He shared that his own understanding of documentaries evolved over time, from initially viewing them as simple films to recognizing them as powerful instruments of social reflection and change.

 Documentaries, he said, are mirrors of society that bring real issues, real voices, and real struggles into the academic space, helping students connect education with life beyond textbooks.

Prof. Manhas emphasized that in an era shaped by digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence, education must move beyond the four walls of classrooms into experiential and technology-driven environments. He appreciated initiatives like the Design Your Degree programme, noting that they reflect forward-looking academic leadership. Sharing his larger vision, he stated that CEC must grow from being merely a Consortium for Educational Communication into “Cinema for Change,” where films do not just inform but transform, shaping responsible, creative, and socially conscious citizens committed to nation-building.

Earlier, in his welcome address at the valedictory session, Shri Sunil Mehru, Joint Director, CEC, described the 17th Prakriti International Documentary Film Festival as a powerful convergence of voices reflecting environmental fragility, social justice, women’s empowerment, and human resilience. He noted that the documentaries screened over the two days travelled from sinking islands and lavender fields to mountain communities and urban landscapes, each film documenting truth with sensitivity and courage. Highlighting themes of climate change, grassroots innovation, migration, dignity of labour, and indigenous knowledge, he observed that the festival once again demonstrated cinema’s role as a catalyst for awareness and transformation.

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, filmmakers, organizers, and students, he urged participants to carry forward the spirit of the festival, where cinema does not merely entertain, but informs, inspires, and drives meaningful change.

Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, delivered the formal vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra for gracing the occasion and to the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umesh Rai, for his inspiring leadership and constant support. She acknowledged the efforts of Prof. Parikshit Singh Manhas, Director, CEC, Shri Sunil Mehru, Joint Director, CEC, the filmmakers, jury members, faculty, students, and organizing teams whose collective commitment ensured the success of the festival. 

During the valedictory ceremony, awards were presented to the winning filmmakers, each receiving a cash prize of ₹50,000 along with a trophy and certificate. On the occasion, the students who staged the dramatic presentation of Rashmirathi were also felicitated for their outstanding performance, which added a rich cultural dimension to the festival.

The festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from the students, scholars, civil society members, and media professionals. 

Among others present on the occasion included,  Deans, Rectors,  Directors, film makers, EMRC Directors from across India and officials of CEC, Heads,  faculty members, officers and staff.