SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called upon the Kashmiri Pandit community to establish industries, academic institutions and cultural organisations in the Union Territory, saying such initiatives would help build a lasting legacy and create opportunities for future generations.
Addressing an event organised by overseas Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha said the region was witnessing a “moment of transformation” and described the return and participation of members of the community as a symbol of renewed confidence in peace and administrative stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the presence of business leaders, corporate figures, technology entrepreneurs and cultural personalities at the event reflected growing trust in the prevailing situation in the region. He also urged the community to contribute across sectors including industry, education, arts and spirituality.
Referring to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in the early 1990s, the Lieutenant Governor said the community had endured “exile and hardship” but had demonstrated resilience by rebuilding their lives and achieving success in various fields across India and abroad.
Sinha said the community had transformed adversity into achievement, contributing significantly to industry, innovation, academia and public services, and had earned respect globally for its accomplishments.
He added that the discussions at the event highlighted pathways for cultural revival, economic empowerment and institutional development, describing them as part of a broader process of rebuilding and strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-economic framework.
The Lieutenant Governor said the return and active participation of the Kashmiri Pandit community reflected what he described as a new phase of development in the region following 2019, and stressed their role in contributing to the vision of a developed India.
