JAMMU, Sep 19: Asha Kiran Welfare Society (AKWS) organized a Symposium on the topic “Maharaja Hari Singh – A Social Reformer” at Activity Public Hr. Secondary School, Janipur Colony, Jammu, on 19-09-2026. Twelve (12) students from different classes, from 6th to 12th, took part in the Symposium.
Aradhya Rathore, Class 11th, stood 1st; Gurvinder Kour, Class 11th, and Manaya Bhardwaj, Class 10th, stood 2nd; Neelakshi Sharma, Class 12th, stood 3rd and were awarded mementos by the Society as per the decision of the Judges, namely Bal Krishan, Sunita Anand and Pooja Bindra. Besides, all other participating students were also provided consolation prizes.
On this occasion, Dr. J.P. Gupta, Chairman of the Society, spoke in detail about the life history of Maharaja Hari Singh, who ruled the State from 1925 to 1949.
As a social reformer, he enacted rules for prevention of Sati Pratha, female foeticide, smoking and use of drugs in schools and colleges by youths and students, sale of women and girls, etc.
To save the general public from the clutches of moneylenders, he was the first to open J&K Bank (1938) in the State. He constructed bridges over the Tawi and Chenab at Akhnoor in the year 1932.
Kamal Netar Gupta, General Secretary of the Society, thanked the Management Committee and staff members of the School for cooperating in organizing the programme successfully.
Hari Chand Sharma (Joint Secretary), Vinod Kumar (Organising Secretary), besides Subash Dutta and Kulbhushan Sharma, Councillors, were also present. The programme was attended by more than 21 teachers and 250 students.
Manohar Lal Gupta, Managing Director, and Rishi Gupta, Principal of the School, thanked the Society for organizing a Symposium on the topic “Maharaja Hari Singh – A Social Reformer” in the School.