Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Friday urged the practitioners of literature and arts to preserve Jammu division's rich heritage, promote its legacy, and connect the new generation to their roots.
“Jammu's traditions in literature, culture, and spirituality have taught us to rise above divisions of caste, creed, and artificial boundaries. The values embedded in our culture embody an ideology that places humanity above all,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of two-day literary-cultural conclave “Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam”, organised by University of Jammu. He commended the University of Jammu for its steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting the region’s cultural ethos and making its mark among the country’s top universities.
The Lieutenant Governor said the society shaped by our abundant literary and cultural wealth will determine who we are and what we can become.
He urged everyone to reflect in this festival of literature and culture on the true identity that binds us and instills a profound sense of belonging.
“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 great luminaries and illustrious literary personalities, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that a region's identity is not defined merely by economic achievements; it shines through its stories, songs, and the vibrant hues of its artisans. He said that the society's enlightened minds must recognize 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.
With deep responsibility, I call upon everyone, especially youth to serve literature and culture. It upholds the living legacy of values passed down through generations, entrusting you not just with an inheritance but with the duty of its cultural-literary bequest. This tradition teaches us the virtue of inclusion,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that safeguarding our language preserves our memories; nurturing regional art forms builds 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 further said.
The two-day literary-cultural conclave features cultural processions, stalls showcasing indigenous attires, handicrafts, traditional cuisines, books and arts, panel discussions, and series of activities highlighting region’s unique identity, honouring languages, folklore, customs, creativity and literary heritage.
On the occasion, the first edition of Jammu University’s multilingual magazine ‘The Litzine’ was also released.
Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; eminent journalists Shri Rajkishor, Consulting Editor, Amar Ujala and Shri Jai Prakash Pandey, Editor, Sahitya Tak India Today Group; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research studies; Dr Neeraj Sharma, Registrar; Prof. Sadaf Shah, Coordinator, Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam; Heads of Departments, faculty members of Jammu University, senior officials, prominent citizens and students in large number attended the inaugural ceremony.