Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 2
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday urged young people to verify information before accepting it as fact and engage in dialogue rather than react impulsively, saying Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence remained relevant in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Addressing a Gandhi Jayanti celebration organised by the School Education Department in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sinha cautioned against misinformation and said the responsible use of technology must be guided by human values and conscience.
“Truth is the habit of verifying before believing any fact or information, and truth is the habit of listening and understanding before responding immediately to anything,” Sinha said, describing truth as a spiritual discipline.
He said Gandhi’s philosophy offered a framework for confronting injustice, upholding dignity and strengthening democracy. The Lieutenant Governor also stressed that technology, despite connecting people across the world, raised questions about truth and inclusivity.
“Technology is only an instrument and the decision must remain ours,” he said, calling on children and young people to use modern tools responsibly while remaining grounded in human values.
Sinha said Gandhi’s emphasis on truth, non-violence and respect for diversity held particular significance at a time of rapid technological and social change. He said India’s strength lay in its ability to accommodate differences in language, religion, customs and traditions.
He also called for greater attention to the welfare of disadvantaged communities, saying the country’s progress should be measured by its ability to ensure justice, dignity and opportunities for all.
Referring to the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, Sinha said Gandhi’s ideas of self-reliance and trusteeship remained relevant to the country’s development priorities.
He cited the role of village enterprises, artisans, farmers and local industries in expanding economic opportunities, and said the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative was supporting local producers and small businesses.
The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised character-building among children, describing a nation’s character as its most enduring infrastructure.
He urged young people to reflect on their individual contributions to society, including whether their actions promoted truth, encouraged dialogue and strengthened social unity.
“Am I advancing truth or rumour? Am I engaging in dialogue or merely reacting? Am I uniting my country, or unknowingly dividing it?” he said, describing such reflection as a tribute to Gandhi’s legacy.
Sinha said India’s progress by 2047 should not be assessed solely through infrastructure and economic growth, but also by the extent to which deprived communities were included in development and given access to opportunities.
The event featured cultural performances, including a Kashmiri rendition of Gandhi’s Bhaijan by Gulzar Ahmed, a Hindi performance by students of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts and a skit by students of Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh.
Sinha congratulated the participants and toppers of a district-level symposium on truth and non-violence, while extending greetings to people on Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
Health and Medical Education, School and Higher Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Padma Bhushan awardee Rajeev Sethi, Padma Shri awardee and Gandhi Global Family J&K president S P Varma, and School Education Department Commissioner Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma attended the event.
