JK News Today
Jammu February 22: Emphasizing the transformative power of cinema as a tool of education, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, stated that a documentary film festival is not merely a cultural event but an academic exercise that encourages learning beyond the four walls of classrooms.
Addressing the media during the Curtain Raiser Press Conference for the 17th PRAKRITI: International Documentary Film Festival, he observed that the true purpose of education is to help individuals understand themselves, transform their thinking, identify the purpose of their lives, and contribute meaningfully to society. He underlined that the themes of the festival—Environment, Development, Human Rights, and Swachh Bharat—are deeply interconnected and reflect the national vision of a Sustainable India by 2047.
Sustainable development, he noted, must harmonize urbanisation, infrastructure growth, environmental responsibility, and respect for human rights. Referring to recent natural calamities such as floods and landslides, he stressed the need to reflect on development models that are environmentally sensitive and socially just. The Vice-Chancellor described the documentaries as catalysts for curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among young minds and invited students, faculty, media, and civil society to participate actively and engage in meaningful intergenerational dialogue.
The University of Jammu is hosting the Grand Finale of the 17th edition of PRAKRITI: International Documentary Film Festival on 23–24 February 2026 in collaboration with the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), New Delhi, as the Grand Finale Partner.
The press conference was held at the University campus in the presence of Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director, CEC; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar; Prof. Prakash Anthal, Dean Students Welfare; and Shri Sunil Mehru, Joint Director, CEC.
Prof. P. S. Manhas expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor and the University fraternity for hosting the festival and outlined the role of CEC as an Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission, established in 1993 to strengthen digital higher education through ICT initiatives.
Operating through nearly 20 Educational Multimedia Research Centres (EMRCs) across the country, CEC delivers educational content through flagship platforms such as SWAYAM MOOCs and SWAYAM Prabha’s 24×7 DTH channels. He informed that the Prakriti Festival began in 1997 in Hyderabad and has since travelled to Pune, Bhopal, Goa, Pondicherry, Jodhpur, Tripura, Mysore, Calicut, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Madurai, Ahmedabad, and other cities, evolving into a competitive international platform that also attracts entries from South East Asian countries.
This year, 72 entries were received, including nominations from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Eight selected documentaries will be screened over two days, and winners in each of the four thematic categories will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 along with a trophy and certificate. Filmmakers, producers, writers, and directors will interact with audiences after each screening to encourage thoughtful dialogue.
To ensure maximum participation, special arrangements have been made across the University campus. In addition to the main screening venues, documentaries will be displayed through LED screens at multiple locations, including Padma Sachdeva Rangsthal, Lawns near the Vice Chancellor’s secretariat and Cafeteria near Center for IT Enalbled Services and Management, making the festival accessible to a larger audience.
The University of Jammu has extended an open invitation to the civil society of Jammu to attend the screenings and be part of this significant academic and cultural initiative that connects cinema with national priorities and responsible citizenship.
