Jammu, Mar 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday called upon writers, artists and youth to serve as custodians of Jammu’s literary and cultural heritage, saying the region’s identity was defined not by economic achievement but by its stories, songs, folk arts and the living traditions passed down through generations.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day literary-cultural conclave “Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam” organised by the University of Jammu, Sinha said Jammu’s traditions in literature, culture and spirituality had taught society to rise above divisions of caste, creed and artificial boundaries.
“True confluence of culture and literature means engaging with the soil through diverse art forms, infusing new resonance into society’s soul,” he said.
Paying homage to literary luminaries of the region, the Lieutenant Governor urged everyone — especially youth — to recognise folk arts and folk literature as Jammu’s living vitality. “Our folk traditions do not dwell in libraries; they thrive in writers’ quills, singers’ songs, folk dance footprints, and artists’ brushes and pigments,” he said.
“With deep responsibility, I call upon everyone, especially youth, to serve literature and culture. This tradition teaches us the virtue of inclusion,” Sinha said, adding that safeguarding language preserved memory, and nurturing regional art forms built self-assurance.
“Let us focus on local tales, dialects and artistic traditions, for every individual’s identity draws nourishment from these roots. When generations gather to exchange experiences, cultural and literary heritage transcends the past — it becomes a living dialogue,” he said.
The Lt Governor commended the University of Jammu for its commitment to preserving the region’s cultural ethos and for establishing itself among the country’s top universities.
The two-day conclave features cultural processions, stalls showcasing indigenous attire, handicrafts, traditional cuisines, books and arts, panel discussions and a series of activities highlighting the region’s unique identity, languages, folklore, customs, creativity and literary heritage.
The first edition of Jammu University’s multilingual magazine ‘The Litzine’ was also released on the occasion.
Among those present were Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof Umesh Rai; Vice Chancellor Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Prof Pragati Kumar; Vice Chancellor Cluster University of Jammu Prof K.S. Chandrasekar; eminent journalists Rajkishor, Consulting Editor Amar Ujala, and Jai Prakash Pandey, Editor Sahitya Tak India Today Group; Dean Research Studies Prof Neelu Rohmetra; Registrar Dr Neeraj Sharma; Conclave Coordinator Prof Sadaf Shah; Heads of Departments, faculty members, senior officials, prominent citizens and a large number of students.
