Jawaharlal Nehru University will be the venue for an international symposium on Kashmir to be organized by RSS-affiliated Vishwagram. Indresh Kumar of RSS is its chief patron. This is probably the first time that an RSS affiliate will be holding a seminar of this scale on the campus. Titled `Peace, People & Possibilities in Kashmir' and sponsored by blue chip PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, Indian Oil and few others, many Union ministers, Governors and scholars are expected to speak at the symposium.

Gita Singh, head of Vishwagram, said, "J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also given in-principle consent but her presence will depend on the situation in the state." Indresh Kumar, Punjab & Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju will be among the speakers.

'Sara Bharat, Hamara Bharat, Pyara Bharat', 'We Love Every Inch of the Nation' is the symposiums slogan. The symposium will talk on the problems of Kashmir, its culture, tradition and Kashmir's role in Indian nationalism. Tracing Kashmir's cultural roots to Mahabharata and claiming that its name comes from Rishi Kashyapa, symposium expects participants to "think out of the box".

While talking about multiple problems that Kashmir faces it will highlight how "several armed men have lost their lives to ensure peace" and how Jammu and Kashmir is the state "where a huge section of the Kashmiris had to face exodus looking for peace".

By Premji