SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday called upon writers, artists and cultural practitioners to preserve the rich heritage of the Jammu region and connect the younger generation with their cultural roots.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day literary-cultural conclave “Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam” at the University of Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the need to promote the region’s literary and artistic legacy while strengthening cultural identity.
“Jammu’s traditions in literature, culture and spirituality have taught us to rise above divisions of caste, creed and artificial boundaries. The values embedded in our culture place humanity above all,” he said.
Sinha commended the University of Jammu for its commitment to safeguarding the region’s cultural ethos and for emerging as one of the country’s leading universities. He said that the strength of a society lies not only in economic progress but also in its stories, songs and artistic traditions.
Paying tribute to renowned literary personalities and cultural icons, the Lieutenant Governor stressed that folk arts and literature form the living spirit of the region. “Our folk traditions do not reside only in libraries; they live in the writings of authors, the songs of singers, the footsteps of folk dancers and the colours of artists,” he said.
He urged young people to actively contribute to preserving and promoting literature and culture, noting that safeguarding languages and regional art forms strengthens collective identity and confidence.
The two-day conclave features cultural processions, stalls displaying indigenous attire, handicrafts, traditional cuisine, books and artworks, along with panel discussions and other activities celebrating the region’s languages, folklore and literary heritage.
During the event, the first edition of the University of Jammu’s multilingual magazine “The Litzine” was also released.
Among those present at the inaugural ceremony were University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Pragati Kumar, Cluster University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof KS Chandrasekar, senior journalists, faculty members, officials and students.
