Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Monday inaugurated the International Painting Symposium 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, underscoring the importance of integrating art, creativity and holistic learning within higher education to nurture future-ready, socially responsible leaders.
The week-long symposium, being held from January 12 to 17 at the IIM Jammu campus, brings together eminent painters from India and abroad, transforming the premier management institute into a vibrant space of creative dialogue and cultural exchange.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Lieutenant Governor said the symposium was not merely a cultural programme but a meaningful convergence of education, creativity and global engagement.
He lauded IIM Jammu for its rapid evolution into a future-ready knowledge institution with world-class infrastructure, a vibrant academic ecosystem and a strong commitment to sustainability reflected in its green campus philosophy.
Kavinder Gupta observed that true education must enrich not only the intellect but also the mind and soul, and platforms such as the International Painting Symposium help academic spaces emerge as centres of reflection, creativity and human connection.
Highlighting the role of creativity in leadership and innovation, he said that while management education sharpens analytical and strategic thinking, art cultivates empathy, sensitivity and ethical perspective—together shaping emotionally intelligent and socially conscious leaders.
The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated IIM Jammu’s sustained efforts to integrate visual arts into its academic ecosystem, noting that the symposium marked the fourth painting workshop hosted by the institute.
He said such continuity reflects a long-term commitment to cultural education rather than a one-time initiative, an approach adopted by very few institutions in the country.
Referring to the broader national context, he said the emergence of world-class educational institutions like IIM Jammu is a result of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a strong emphasis on nation-building through knowledge, innovation and human capital development.
Speaking on Ladakh’s development journey, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted that since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, Ladakh’s annual budget has increased from around ₹200 crore to nearly ₹6,000 crore. This expansion, he said, has enabled significant improvements in connectivity, education, healthcare, renewable energy and livelihood opportunities. He also informed that Ladakh has received its first medical college, which will soon become fully functional, strengthening regional healthcare services and creating new opportunities for local youth.
Inviting greater academic engagement in Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor called for knowledge-driven, sustainable and locally contextualised solutions suited to the region’s unique geography and fragile ecosystem. He assured full administrative cooperation for establishing an IIM Jammu academic centre in Leh, describing such collaboration between academia and administration as a strong foundation for balanced and sustainable development.
He further noted that the symposium aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises holistic, multidisciplinary and experiential learning.
The international participation of artists, he added, reinforces art as a universal language that transcends borders and strengthens India’s cultural connect and soft power globally.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor was received at the campus by the Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, the Director of the institute and senior officials.
He inaugurated the symposium at the venue, visited the academic complex, including the Nalanda Library and classrooms, and planted a sapling as part of the institute’s sustainability initiative.
The inaugural programme also featured a welcome address by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu; a presidential address by Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu; and an address by the Guest of Honour, Shriram Dandekar, Vice Chairman, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd. and former Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu.
The symposium was introduced by Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairman, Anandam: The Centre for Happiness, IIM Jammu, while eminent participating artists were introduced by curator Kamlesh Gandhi.
Concluding his address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the organising committee and partner institutions and expressed confidence that the International Painting Symposium 2026 would leave a lasting impact on the campus and inspire future generations.DD
