Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the Lal Ded Literature Awards on Sunday and launched Dr. Vaidehi Taman’s book, Lal Ded – The Mother of Kashmir, calling upon writers, intellectuals and awardees to pass on India’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy to future generations.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor urged the awardees to share the timeless wisdom of Lal Ded, Kabir, Nund Rishi, Guru Nanak and Tulsidas with the youth, emphasising that India’s progress has always been built on a balance between scientific advancement and spiritual values.
“Our ancestors built India by balancing science with deep spiritual values. Progress requires both the scientist and the spiritualist,” he said.
Sinha described India’s spiritual, scientific and cultural identity as the nation’s greatest strength, saying it has been passed down through generations like a torch and must continue to guide the country’s future.
He appealed to young people not to let that legacy fade, urging them to draw inspiration from India’s heritage while embracing innovation and contributing to the vision of a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
“India’s greatest strength is its rich spiritual, scientific and cultural identity, passed down through centuries 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. Now is the time to innovate and give the youth of Jammu and Kashmir a clear purpose for building a self-reliant Union Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in nation-building, Sinha said every citizen has a role to play in shaping India’s future.
“Nation-building is a shared duty for every citizen. 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 event brought together distinguished literary personalities, scholars and cultural figures to celebrate the legacy of Kashmiri mystic poet Lal Ded and honour contributions to literature and society.
