Jammu, Feb 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said the youth hold boundless power to steer society and the nation toward the future. He called for putting a dedicated focus on shaping balanced minds and bold innovators for sustainable development.
“Empowered youth engineers the future, and I believe intellectual depth, creative strength and innovative youth leadership are essential for national advancement,” the LG said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Goonj 2026’, a unique Youth Festival, hosted by University of Jammu.
The two-day event will offer a distinctive platform to youth from diverse disciplines to create a future. The festival will educate the mind, energise the body and ignite the innovation.
The Lieutenant Governor said that when young people kindle the flame of courage within themselves and step forward with unshakeable belief, then new pathways open up for society and the nation. He exhorted the students to embrace innovation, pursue fresh research, experiment boldly, and unlock nation-building doors.
“Honour your traditions, respect your past and connect with your roots. This will deepen the profound sense of identity, confidence, and self-awareness that no classroom can ever fully teach,” he said.
Sinha observed that the purpose of education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but the creation of enlightened citizens who are sensitive towards their duties. “True education prepares youth to forge entirely new answers and solutions that the world has not yet imagined. Students enter campuses not merely for degrees, but to nurture culture, explore new ideas, choose bold paths, and courageously drive societal progress,” the LG said.
The Lieutenant Governor added that the pace at which the world is changing is almost beyond comprehension, and the technological explosion has quietly transformed both educational institutions and industries alike. He directed the faculty members to make their higher education campuses the manufacturing hubs of new ideas.
“The effort must go beyond curriculum. Let there be genuine dialogue across disciplines. Let every lecture in every classroom become a doorway to new possibilities,” he said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also launched the Podcast “JU Vaachan”, an initiative of Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Jammu University.
Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research studies; Prof Prakash Anthal, Dean Students Welfare; Heads of Departments, faculty members, senior officials and students in large number were present.
Padma Shri Dr Jitendra Udhampuri; Padma Shri Dr SP Varma; Padma Shri Romalo Ram; Shri Ashok Bhan, former DGP, and prominent citizens from different walks of life also attended the inaugural ceremony.
