In Jammu and Kashmir, the University of Jammu is set to organize the third edition of its flagship multi-genre youth festival, Goonj 2026, from February 27 to 28. An Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that the two-day festival will bring together students, faculty, and teaching departments on a shared platform of creativity, collaboration, and institutional pride. The Goonj initiative began in 2024, with a clear vision to promote the holistic development of students and foster a deeper sense of belonging within the University community. Platforms like Goonj enable students to discover their potential through participation, interaction, and collective engagement. Approximately 600 students from Teaching Departments, off-site campuses, affiliated colleges, and neighboring universities have registered for participation this year, and the number is expected to increase further. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of Jammu University, will inaugurate Goonj 2026, while the concluding ceremony will be graced by Professor Bechan Lal, former Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University and Advisor to the Governor of Assam. Goonj provides a unique opportunity to showcase the distinct identity and strengths of the University's 42 disciplines. Through exhibition stalls, departments will present their academic mandates, research initiatives, training activities, publications, and innovative practices. The competitive format encourages a healthy academic spirit and mutual learning among departments. Goonj 2026 comprises three major segments: Sports, Cultural Activities, and the Best Practices Showcase. Under the Best Practices component, departments will be evaluated in two stages by a six-member jury from different organizations. This year, a new component, an Exhibition of Rare and Best-Selling Books, has been introduced to promote reading habits among students.
