SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called upon the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to dream big, strive for excellence and remain deeply connected to India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage while addressing the Lal Ded Literary Awards ceremony in Srinagar.
The Lieutenant Governor attended the award function and launched “Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir,” a new book authored by Dr Vaidehi Taman. During the event, he urged writers, artists and intellectuals to pass on the timeless teachings of Lal Ded, Kabir, Nund Rishi, Guru Nanak and Tulsidas to younger generations.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said India’s greatest strength lies in its spiritual, scientific and cultural legacy, which has been preserved over centuries and must continue to inspire future generations.
“Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation’s journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said India’s progress has always been driven by a balance between scientific advancement and deep spiritual values, adding that the country’s development requires both innovation and moral strength.
He urged young people to draw inspiration from the nation’s heritage while contributing towards building a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir. He also appealed to society to reconnect with traditions that may have been lost over time, whether through language, folklore, songs or cultural practices, and pass them on to future generations.
Highlighting the role of literature and education in nation-building, Sinha said writers, teachers and artists shape society by preserving knowledge, promoting compassion and guiding the youth.
“In this rapidly changing world, we need writers and educators more than ever. Literature makes us compassionate, while education equips us with knowledge. Together, they create responsible citizens capable of leading the nation forward,” he said.
He said today’s youth stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, possessing technology in their hands but searching for purpose. Writers, he added, must inspire young minds to remain rooted in their cultural identity while embracing innovation and new ideas.
The Lieutenant Governor also made five appeals to intellectuals, educators, scientists and creators, urging them to encourage independent thinking among youth, preserve and document India’s cultural heritage, translate ideas into practical solutions, mentor the next generation and promote interdisciplinary collaboration to address global challenges such as climate change.
Responding to a demand raised during the programme for a museum dedicated to Lal Ded and other eminent personalities, Sinha assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard.
The event was attended by former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, former Rajya Sabha MP and President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, eminent writer Prof Neerja Mattoo, author Dr Vaidehi Taman, Padma Dr S P Varma, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, SSP Srinagar G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, along with several literary figures and senior officials.
