Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta inaugurated the International Painting Symposium 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), here today.
The week-long symposium, being held from January 12, 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 LG 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.
The LG 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.”
Speaking on Ladakh’s development journey, the LG highlighted that since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, Ladakh’s annual budget has increased from around Rs 200 crore to nearly Rs 6,000 crore.
“This expansion has enabled significant improvements in connectivity, education, healthcare, renewable energy and livelihood opportunities,” he said and 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.
Earlier, the LG 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.
Among others who graced the event included Prof B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, Dr Milind P Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, Shriram Dandekar, Vice Chairman, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd, former Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu, Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairman, Anandam and curator Kamlesh Gandhi.
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