JAMMU, Mar 13: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday called upon writers, artists, and intellectuals to act as custodians of the region’s cultural memory, urging them to preserve the rich heritage of the Jammu division and connect the younger generation with their roots.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a two-day literary-cultural conclave, ‘Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam’, organised by the University of Jammu, the Lt Governor emphasized that the identity of a region is not defined solely by its economic achievements, but by its stories, songs, and the vibrant hues of its artisans.
“A region’s identity shines through its stories, songs, and the vibrant hues of its artisans. Society’s enlightened minds must recognize folk arts and folk literature as Jammu’s living vitality,” Sinha said.
The Lt Governor underscored the unifying power of the region’s cultural ethos, stating that Jammu’s traditions in literature, culture, and spirituality teach the lesson of rising above divisions of caste, creed, and artificial boundaries. “The values embedded in our culture embody an ideology that places humanity above all,” he asserted.
Observing that safeguarding language preserves collective memory, Sinha stressed the need to focus on local tales, dialects, and artistic traditions.”When generations gather to exchange experiences, cultural and literary heritage transcends the past—it becomes a living dialogue,” he added.
Sinha also paid tributes to the great luminaries and literary personalities of the region, describing folk traditions as a living force that thrives not just in libraries, but in the works of writers, the songs of singers, and the brushes of artists.
Calling upon the youth to serve literature and culture, he described it as a sacred duty to uphold the legacy of values passed down through generations. “It entrusts you not just with an inheritance but with the duty of its cultural-literary bequest. This tradition teaches us the virtue of inclusion,” the Lt Governor said.
The event also marked the release of the first edition of Jammu University’s multilingual magazine, ‘The Litzine’. The conclave features cultural processions, stalls showcasing indigenous attires, handicrafts, traditional cuisines, books, and panel discussions aimed at honouring the region’s unique identity, languages, and folklore.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, and other senior officials were present on the occasion. (KNS)
