Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, March 31

At the of a cultural festival in Jammu on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called on young people to promote compassion and strengthen bonds of brotherhood, framing India’s cultural heritage as a counterpoint to a world marked by conflict and division.

Speaking at the opening of the Jammu Kashmir Cultural Festival, LG Sinha said that in an increasingly interconnected era, values rooted in tradition could offer guidance at a time of global unrest.

“In this defining moment, when societies are fractured and the world searches for peace, India can help illuminate a new path,” he said.

The festival, organised by the Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust, brings together cultural exhibitions, folk performances, a farmers’ outreach program and a free medical camp, reflecting what officials described as an effort to preserve and promote the region’s heritage.

The LG urged young people to draw from that legacy while also pursuing innovation. He said cultural traditions from Dogri music to local crafts carried enduring social values and could play a role in shaping the region’s future.

“The world is waiting for new ideas,” LG Sinha said, adding that India’s youth inherit a long tradition of intellectual and spiritual thought.

His remarks also touched on India’s broader trajectory.

LG Sinha praised the country’s recent economic and technological progress, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and describing the past decade as a period of significant transformation.

He said India was increasingly asserting itself on the global stage, with its engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs contributing to international innovation and discourse.

The LG said that the country should continue to invest in a knowledge-based economy while promoting its philosophical and cultural traditions abroad.

“Art, spirituality and ethics are bridges that link generations,” he said.

The event was attended by religious leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri, along with local legislators and senior officials. Organisers also honored several individuals for contributions in their respective fields.

Officials said the festival would continue over the coming days, showcasing performances and exhibitions intended to highlight the diversity and continuity of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural life.