Srinagar, April 25: World Veterinary Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama campus, marking the culmination of a two-week series of events held under the banner of WVD 2026.

Director Research, Haroon R Naik, who was the Chief Guest, inaugurated the event by hoisting the World Veterinary Association flag and leading a rally from the Faculty building to the Harmukh Auditorium. He later released the Vet’s Vision Wall Magazine 2026, inspected the student Rangoli displays, and joined a gathering of officers, faculty members, scientists, and around 600 students. The presence of retired faculty members added significance to the occasion.
The celebrations followed a fortnight of activities including indoor and outdoor sports competitions, debates, quizzes, clinical camps, blood donation drives, plantation campaigns, and school outreach programmes. Around 200 school students participated in awareness visits, making it one of the highlights of this year’s events. Winners of various competitions were felicitated with medals and certificates. An annual faculty report and a literary magazine titled Undefined were also released.
In his address, Prof. Naik highlighted SKUAST-Kashmir’s emergence as an innovation-driven institution with national and global recognition. He called upon students and researchers to contribute towards transforming the region into a model bio-economy through initiatives like HADP and JKCIP. Emphasising the theme of World Veterinary Day, he underlined the role of veterinarians in public health, food safety, environmental protection, and conservation of local germplasm. He also urged the district administration to develop a sports stadium at the campus under the Khelo India programme.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Faheem Bihaki, an alumnus of the university and Guest of Honour, praised the institution’s contributions and stressed the importance of livestock development for rural transformation. He also spoke about the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to combat drug abuse.
Director Education, Mohammad Altaf Bhat, and Dean Students Welfare, S A Gangoo, addressed students on the relevance of veterinary sciences and emerging technologies such as AI, nanotechnology, and biotechnology in the field.
A keynote lecture on the theme of World Veterinary Day was delivered by Zahoor Ahmad Pampori, focusing on building a sustainable future through veterinary expertise.
Earlier, Dean FVSc & AH, Riaz A Shah, welcomed the participants and appreciated the collective efforts of faculty, staff, and students. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Hilal Mudadiq Khan, while proceedings were conducted by faculty members from the university.