Srinagar, July 12 (KINS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the Lal Ded Literary Awards ceremony and launched Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir, a book authored by Dr. Vaidehi Taman, urging the younger generation to dream big, strive for excellence and remain deeply connected to India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the youth are the builders of the nation’s future and called upon them not to 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.
Emphasising the importance of balancing scientific progress with spiritual values, Sinha said India’s ancestors built the nation by combining knowledge with wisdom.
“Our ancestors built India by balancing science with deep spiritual values, emphasising that progress requires both the scientist and the spiritualist,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said India’s greatest strength lies in its rich spiritual, scientific and cultural identity, passed down through generations like a torch.
“I appeal to the youth not to let that flame die. Now is the time to use our rich heritage to inspire millions of new minds. It is also the time to innovate and provide the youth of Jammu and Kashmir with a clear purpose for building a self-reliant Union Territory,” he said.
Calling nation-building a shared responsibility, Sinha said every citizen has a role in shaping the country’s future and urged the younger generation to contribute with dedication and commitment.
He also stressed that India values both outward development and inner spiritual growth, saying the country’s shared traditions continue to unite people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
The Lieutenant Governor urged writers, thinkers and artists to preserve and promote India’s spiritual and cultural traditions while remaining open to new ideas.
“I am not suggesting we live in the past, but that we remain rooted in the truth, goodness and grace of our heritage. Like a tree with strong roots, we can withstand challenges while continuing to grow,” he said.
He asked people to rediscover elements of their cultural heritage that may have been lost in the rush of modern life, whether a language, song, story, recipe or tradition, and pass them on to future generations.
Commending the awardees, Sinha said writers, educators and artists play a crucial role in shaping society by preserving knowledge, inspiring ideas and guiding young minds.
“In this rapidly changing world, we need writers and educators more than ever. Literature makes us compassionate, education gives us knowledge, and together they create responsible citizens capable of leading the nation forward,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said today’s youth stand at the intersection of tradition and modernity, with technology in their hands and a search for purpose in their minds.
“It is the duty of writers to connect young people with their cultural roots and inspire them to think beyond boundaries with a sense of purpose. Teachers must impart not only skills but also values, confidence and courage to face future challenges,” he said.
During his address, Sinha also made five appeals to intellectuals, writers, teachers, scientists and creators, urging them to encourage independent thinking among youth, document and preserve India’s cultural heritage, apply ideas to solve real-world challenges, mentor the next generation and promote interdisciplinary collaboration to address issues such as climate change.
Responding to a request for a museum dedicated to Lal Ded and other great personalities, the Lieutenant Governor assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard.
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 Shri Dr. S.P. Varma, Principal Secretary, Culture, Brij Mohan Sharma, SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, prominent literary personalities and senior officials were present on the occasion.(KINS)
LG attends Lal Ded Literary awards, launches book on mystic saint; urges youth to dream big and stay rooted in India’s Cultural Heritage
