SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday paid tribute to the victims of the 1947 Partition, saying their suffering remains an unhealed wound in the collective consciousness of the country and called upon the youth to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
Sinha was addressing a gathering at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, during an event organised to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. The occasion featured a photo exhibition, a theatrical performance depicting the trauma and displacement caused by Partition, and a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives.
“Decades after the Partition, their sacrifice reminds us that the wound remains unhealed, lingering as a generational pain in India’s collective soul,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the day was not merely about remembering history but about giving voice to millions who suffered during the Partition.
“Remembering them is fulfilling our duty towards humanity. We will preserve their memories,” Sinha said, adding that the stories of those who endured the tragedy would remain an important part of the country’s collective consciousness.
The Lieutenant Governor urged people in Jammu and Kashmir to treat the occasion as a day of introspection and reaffirm their commitment to peace, harmony and national unity.
He highlighted the resilience of families who were displaced during Partition and later rebuilt their lives, contributing to the country’s social and cultural fabric.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said Partition divided families and displaced communities from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Chhamb. He also paid tribute to families affected by the tribal invasion that followed months after Partition.
“Indian Army and people fought bravely. The struggle and sacrifice of countless families are an integral part of the collective memory of Jammu Kashmir,” he said.
Addressing the youth, Sinha said Partition should not be viewed merely as a chapter in history, but as a living memory for millions of families.
“The youth of Jammu Kashmir must ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated in the future. Where walls were once raised, you must build bridges of trust and construct a Viksit Bharat that is inclusive,” he said.
He stressed that India’s strength lies in its diversity of languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs, saying the country had continued to move forward despite attempts to weaken its unity.
Sinha called for efforts to strengthen peace and harmony and said building a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir was a shared responsibility.
The Lieutenant Governor also visited the photo exhibition at the venue.
Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, BJP J&K General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, senior officials, prominent citizens and a large number of youth attended the event.
