Srinagar, Jul 18: The Himalayan Policy and Research Foundation (HPRF) organised a day-long Young Thinkers Meet at the Government College of Education, Srinagar, bringing together more than 50 research scholars from across the region.
The concluding session was graced by Shri Ramdas Athawale, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The event provided a platform for young scholars to present research on governance, disaster management, peace education, the rural economy, the Himalayan ecosystem, culture and heritage, and contemporary geopolitical and geoeconomic issues.
It was among the first initiatives of its kind to engage Kashmir-based scholars on such a scale in policy-oriented academic deliberations. The inaugural session began with an address by Irshad Ahmad, Member of the Editorial Board, HPRF, who emphasised the importance of nurturing young research talent and encouraging policy-relevant scholarship rooted in the region’s social, economic, cultural and environmental realities.
Prof. Mohammad Mubin, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Srinagar, chaired the inaugural session as Chief Guest. He called for sustained efforts to protect the Himalayan ecosystem, particularly its lakes, water bodies, forests and natural resources.
Prof. Seema Naz, Principal, Government College of Education, Srinagar, attended as Guest of Honour, while Dr Tawseef, Dr Wajahat and Fasil Ali Dar, Director, HPRF, also guided the participating scholars.
The second session commenced with a presentation by Dr Zahid Sultan on evidence-based policymaking, rigorous research analysis and the development of reliable databases. Shortlisted scholars subsequently presented their papers before an expert jury.
The session was chaired by Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, who highlighted the significance of the themes discussed for the broader ecological, intellectual and civilisational framework of the Himalayan region.
Er Anand Tiwari and Professor Naseer, Guests of Honour, appreciated the initiative and expressed support for promoting young scholars across the country. Three research papers were selected for recognition based on their originality, academic merit and analytical depth.
The concluding session was graced by Ramdas Athawale as Chief Guest. Ashok Choudhary, Director, HPRF, welcomed the dignitaries and underlined the need to channel young scholars’ ideas into meaningful public policy and social development.
A MoU was signed between HPRF, represented by Peer Gulzar and Fasil Ali Dar, and ARNI University, represented by Vivek Sawhney, to promote academic cooperation, research, knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The HPRF brochure was also released. Speaking on the occasion, Surinder Ambardar, Founder Director of HPRF, emphasised the need to build an indigenous think tank of young scholars, writers and researchers to strengthen the transcendental knowledge ecosystem of the Himalayan region.
He noted that HPRF is keen to produce thousands of young leaders, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of producing one lakh fresh leaders across the country, and stressed the importance of establishing a Transcendental Knowledge Centre in Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Ramdas Athawale appreciated the initiative and assured his full support to HPRF in connecting its young scholars with flagship programmes of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
He also assured that he would facilitate coordination with other ministries to help advance the Foundation’s academic and policy initiatives. During the valedictory session, the Minister felicitated the presenters of the three best research papers.
Introducing the award-winning scholars, Dr Peerzada Muneer, Editor, Himalayan Policy and Research Foundation Media Management, stated that nurturing young researchers would help create a new generation capable of replacing fictional and unsubstantiated narratives with evidence, scholarship and grounded realities. Peer Gulzar, Convenor of the event, proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the National Anthem.
