Government Degree College (GDC) Ganderbal, through its College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell in collaboration with the NSS Unit, organised an Awareness and Sensitisation Programme on “Substance Abuse Prevention and Youth Well-being” under the 100-Day Intensified Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign on Saturday.

The programme was organised in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) under the coordination of Dr Ulfat Jan, Head, Department of Psychology and Nodal Officer for the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Shabana Aslam, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany and Member of the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell. She highlighted the importance of collective efforts in creating awareness among young people to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles.

Principal Prof Fouzia Fatima, in her special address, urged students to remain focused on their academic and personal goals and to adopt positive alternatives to counter the growing menace of drug abuse. She advised them to stay vigilant against negative influences and actively participate in sports, cultural, literary, and other co-curricular activities for their holistic development. Dr Javeed Ahmad, Sociologist, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, expressed his gratitude to the Principal for her wholehearted cooperation and support in organising the event. He appreciated the college administration for partnering with SKIMS in this important initiative.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Shamila Hamid, Additional Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, discussed the causes, risk factors, and far-reaching physical, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse. She emphasised that awareness, timely intervention, and informed decision-making are essential in preventing addiction and safeguarding the future of young people. The second technical session was delivered by Dr. Rasikha Khan, Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, who shared real-life case studies illustrating the devastating effects of substance abuse. She highlighted the importance of early identification, counselling, and treatment while stressing the vital role of families, educational institutions, and society in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals recovering from addiction.

As part of the programme, Dr Lamshuwa Mawlong, Postgraduate Scholar, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge, which was solemnly taken by Principal Prof. Fouzia Fatima, faculty members, and students.

The proceedings of the programme were moderated by Dr Shaista Qadiri, Department of English, while the formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr Nusrat Jan, Head, Department of Kashmiri. The programme was attended by Dr. Jamsheeda Akhter, NSS Programme Coordinator, along with members of the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell, faculty members, and a large gathering of students.

Srinagar, Jul 18: To modernise local agriculture and bridge the gap between academic research and grassroots farming, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir launched an extensive farmer outreach and interaction programme across the Srinagar and Anantnag districts.

Led by Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Gani, the initiative brought a team of scientists straight into the fields to promote scientific vegetable farming, evaluate current cultivation practices, and directly address the emerging production challenges faced by local growers.

A major highlight of the tour was visit to Wantrag village in the Anantnag district, an area widely renowned for its intensive watermelon and muskmelon cultivation. While inspecting the thriving fields, Prof Gani commended the local growers for their sophisticated approach, describing Wantrag as an exemplary model of scientific and profitable vegetable production. The Vice Chancellor stressed that this high-yield, intensive farming model should be replicated across other districts of the Kashmir valley to drive up regional farm incomes and encourage the wider adoption of advanced agriculture practices.

During the field inspections, university experts from the Division of Vegetable Science, including the Head of the Division Dr Ishfaq Abidi, Prof Faheema Mushtaq, Dr Asima Amin, and other accompanying scientists, engaged in detailed discussions with local growers. The university team focused heavily on technology-driven interventions designed to boost fruit quality and farm profitability. They evaluated and advised on the implementation of hi-tech poly-house cultivation, precision nutrient and irrigation management via micro-irrigation systems, and Integrated Disease and Pest Management protocols. The scientists also emphasised resource conservation methods like mulching practices for moisture retention and weed control, alongside quality seed production.

Beyond field cultivation, the visiting team placed significant emphasis on the commercial aspect of farming, urging growers to adopt modern post-harvest handling and professional sorting and grading practices to ensure better market connectivity and price realisation. Addressing the farmers, Prof Gani reiterated SKUAST-K’s core mission to foster a farmer-scientist linkage, promising that regular field visits, frontline demonstrations, and continuous technology dissemination would remain a priority.

The outreach initiative was welcomed by the farming community, who expressed gratitude to the university for bringing scientists directly to their doorsteps and reaffirmed their eagerness to adopt the university’s improved tech-driven farming methods.