Srinagar, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir embodies harmony and brotherhood.
“For generations, people of different faiths received respect and experienced spiritual peace. It is the lasting legacy of the saints, Sufis, and Rishis who spent centuries teaching our people the power of love, compassion, and unity,” the LG said, addressing the Interfaith Dialogue for Harmony in Baramulla, organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation.
He commended the foundation for its contribution to the drug-free Jammu Kashmir campaign and stating that through this campaign, trust within families and institutions has been strengthened, youth confidence in their future has been reinforced, and a message has been sent across the country that when a society rises up on its own, it can overcome the biggest challenges.
“I commend the young volunteers who worked selflessly and took on a great responsibility for a better future for the UT. Through this campaign we have strengthened trust within our families and institutions, reinforced youth’s confidence in their future, and sent a message across the country that when a society rises up on its own, it can overcome biggest challenges,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
In his address, the LG said, “Lal Ded’s teachings didn’t belong to one religion. Her Vakh spoke directly to the human heart. She never judged people by their faith. Instead, Lal Ded focused on bringing different ways of worship together. Similarly, Sheikh-ul-Alam showed us that true devotion isn’t about conflict or division. It is found in compassion and in serving every single human being.”
He added that the flourishing rishi-sufi tradition in Kashmir does not proclaim the superiority of one faith, and its message is that all religions and beliefs draw their strength from the same existence. “This heritage does not belong only to Hindus, only to Muslims, only to Sikhs, Buddhists, or Christians. It is the legacy of every citizen born on this sacred land, and protecting this heritage is our moral and spiritual duty,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that social and religious harmony is the cornerstone on which a strong society, a strong Jammu Kashmir, and a developed India can be built. “When the people move in peaceful coexistence then the energy of society becomes the greatest force for development. That is why I strongly believe that harmony is both a moral necessity for the people and the foundation of economic prosperity and it is also a guarantee of a brighter future for coming generations,” he said.
Sinha called upon youth to believe in themselves and their ability to build a future far brighter than the past they inherited. “For a long time, this land suffered from the scourge of drugs and terrorism, and that impacted the consciousness, dreams, and futures of the youth. Today I say with full conviction that that era has now ended. Now the youth of Jammu Kashmir have taken the reins of their future into their own hands, and this Union Territory is moving toward a new era of education, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual awareness, and national unity,” he said.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also met various public delegations and assured appropriate action on issues projected by them.
The event was attended by Major General Manoj Joshi, GOC Dagger Division; Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma; DIG North Kashmir Range Dr Vinod Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; SSP Baramulla Gurinderpal Singh; Save Youth Save Future Foundation Chairman Wajahat Farooq Bhat; members of the Foundation; senior officials; civil society members; prominent citizens; and a large number of youth.
