Preserve Jammu’s heritage, connect youth to roots: LG

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor 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.
Addressing the gathering during the literary event, the Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, expressed gratitude to the distinguished literary personalities who had joined the event and acknowledged the guidance and support extended by Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra in shaping the programme.
Prof. Rai also welcomed the eminent guests who had travelled from different places to participate in the conclave and emphasized that the University deeply values its association with such distinguished literary personalities, many of whom are also alumni of the institution. He suggested that eminent literary figures should be closely associated with the University’s Alumni Association as their presence enhances the intellectual and cultural prestige of the institution.
Highlighting the importance of language and culture in shaping identity, the Vice Chancellor observed that pride in one’s language and cultural heritage forms the foundation of a vibrant society.
Quoting the noted poet Maithili Sharan Gupt, he remarked that a person who does not take pride in his own language and cultural heritage loses a vital part of his identity. He further reiterated that the University will continue to explore ways and resources to strengthen initiatives aimed at promoting regional languages and literary traditions.
A major highlight of the first day was the panel discussion titled “Jammu Ka Sahitya: Bimb-Pratibimb,” which explored the reflection of Jammu’s socio-cultural ethos in its literary traditions. The session was moderated by Padma Shri Prof. Lalit Magotra.
The panel discussion featured eminent speakers including Khalid Hussain, Shailender Singh, Dr. Fulail Singh Paddari, Aseer Kishtwari, K. D. Maini, Dr. Javaid Rahi and Manzoor Katoch, who shared their insights on the literary evolution of the region and the role of language in preserving cultural memory.
The discussion highlighted the rich and diverse literary traditions of the Jammu region, emphasizing the need to preserve and promote its regional languages and literary expressions. Speakers reflected on the contributions of languages such as Dogri, Punjabi, Pahari, Gojri, Kishtwari, Pogli, Bhadarwahi, Sarazi and Padri, noting that while these languages possess deep historical and cultural roots, much of their literature still remains confined to regional circles.
The panelists stressed the need to translate regional literary works into Hindi and English so that Jammu’s literary heritage can reach wider national and international audiences.
They also underscored the important role of academic institutions, particularly the University of Jammu, in encouraging research, documentation and publication in regional languages to ensure that the region’s vibrant linguistic and cultural diversity continues to flourish for future generations.
Adding a dynamic dimension to the event, a spirited student competition followed the panel discussion. Coordinated by Prof. Jyoti, students reviewed books across various regional languages and presented their analysis in regional languages, Hindi and English. The segment served as a bridge between established scholarship and the emerging generation of young thinkers.
The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Prof. Neeru Rohmetra, who distributed certificates and awards to the participants. Kanika Devi from Kartar Public School secured the first prize, while Prerna Tickoo from Lawrence Public School won the second prize. The third prize was awarded to Deepanjan Singh from Air Force School, Jammu.
The literary engagements were followed by a Multilingual Mushaira, conducted by Irfan Arif, which brought together poets reciting in different languages and reflecting the region’s rich linguistic diversity.
The vibrant and passionate Mushaira was followed by folk performances by renowned artists including Padma Shri Romalo Ram and Asha Kesar, whose performances captivated the audience and highlighted the rich folk traditions of the Jammu region.
Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; eminent journalists Rajkishor, Consulting Editor, Amar Ujala and 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.