Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Wednesday concluded its Hindi Pakhwada celebrations with a valedictory ceremony and the felicitation of winners and participants who excelled in competitions and Hindi language examinations. The fortnight of activities, organised by the institute’s Rajbhasha Cell, was aimed at encouraging the use of Hindi in official communication and strengthening its presence in administrative work.
The ceremony was presided over by Director NIT Srinagar Prof. Anurag Misra, with noted multilingual writer and broadcaster Dr Satish Vimal as Guest of Honour. Among those present were Dean P&D Dr Yaswant Mehta, In-charge Hindi Officer Dr R.P. Shukla, Hindi Teaching and Training Supervisor Mohammad Iqbal Dar, AR Accounts Shahid Hamid, Hindi Anuvadak Dr Sabzar Gani Batoo, faculty coordinators of the Cell and ministerial staff.
Prof. Misra appreciated the Rajbhasha Cell for involving faculty and staff in activities promoting the official language, and said sustained efforts would strengthen official communication and coordination across academic and administrative units. “Such initiatives not only preserve our linguistic identity but also foster inclusivity and better coordination within academic and administrative systems,” he said.
Dr Vimal highlighted the role of language in preserving cultural heritage and strengthening social bonds. Kashmir, he said, has historically been a confluence of languages and traditions, with Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Kashmiri all enriching its linguistic heritage. Dr Shukla said the programme reflected the collective effort of the Cell, faculty, staff and coordinators, and that enthusiastic participation throughout the Pakhwada showed a shared commitment to the objective.
Certificates and mementoes were presented to winners of the various competitions and to successful candidates of the Parangat and Praveen examinations. In the Parangat Examination, Towheed Hussain, M. Abrar Khan and Raveesa Akhtar secured the top three positions. In the Praveen Examination conducted under the Hindi Teaching Scheme, New Delhi, Faisal Irshad Ganai of DR Administration stood first, AR Accounts Shahid Hamid second and Adil Rasool Bhat third.
In the Administrative Vocabulary Competition, Ranjeet Prayapati, M. Abrar Khan and Towheed Hussain took the first three places respectively. The Essay Writing Competition was won by Towheed Hussain, followed by Ajay Kumar and Shaziah Shafi. In Noting and Drafting, Zaisir Farooq secured first position, Towheed Hussain second and Basarat Bashir third.
Hindi Pakhwada is observed every year in central government institutions to promote the Rajbhasha, and its programmes typically combine competitions, workshops and training. At a technical institute with a diverse student and staff community drawn from across the country, such events also serve as a bridge between regions and languages.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Pramod Kumar Yadav, who expressed gratitude to the Director, the Guest of Honour, faculty members, coordinators and participants for making the celebrations a success.
