Associated News Bureau

LG Sinha Felicitates ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ Winners, Calls Youth Nation’s Greatest Strength, Urges collective action against drug abuse, calls for sustained efforts towards a peaceful, prosperous and healthy Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, October 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday felicitated the winners of the ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ cycling event, commending the participants for their enthusiasm, determination and sporting spirit. He described youth as the nation’s greatest strength and stressed the need to provide them with meaningful opportunities to channel their energy, nurture their talents and realise their aspirations. Addressing the felicitation ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor said the event reflected the optimism, confidence and aspirations of a changing Jammu and Kashmir, where young people are increasingly contributing to sports, education, innovation and entrepreneurship. He also praised the Jammu and Kashmir Police for extending their role beyond security and law enforcement through community-oriented initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and encouraging constructive engagement with young people. “Jammu and Kashmir Police have combined security with compassion, discipline with inspiration, and duty with social commitment,” Sinha said, describing initiatives such as ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ as an effective means of building stronger bonds between the police and the public. The Lieutenant Governor said the achievements of the participants reflected the immense potential of the region’s youth and the changing narrative of Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that the police’s Civic Action Programmes were creating opportunities for youth engagement, skill development and sporting excellence. “The story of Jammu and Kashmir is no longer confined to the challenges of the past but is also the story of the efforts of the present and the possibilities of the future,” he said. Emphasising the importance of youth participation in the region’s development, Sinha said meaningful progress could be achieved when young people had access to opportunities, confidence in their abilities and a strong sense of unity. He expressed confidence that events such as ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ would inspire young people to contribute to national development through hard work, talent and determination. The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the broader social significance of sporting and community initiatives, including ‘Jashn-e-Dal’, saying such programmes went beyond competition by promoting discipline, perseverance and resilience among participants. Calling for a concerted campaign against drug abuse, Sinha urged all sections of society to work together to protect young people from substance abuse. He stressed that efforts to address the problem should also involve empathy, care and rehabilitation for those affected. “It is the collective responsibility of all of us to provide the youth with platforms where their energy receives a positive direction, their talent receives encouragement, and their dreams receive the opportunity to be realised,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon people to reaffirm their commitment to peace, development and public welfare, urging them to work towards building a healthy, prosperous, secure and progressive Jammu and Kashmir. He congratulated all participants and winners, saying their involvement in the cycling event represented the spirit of determination, positive change and constructive engagement. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Special Director General of Police (Coordination), Police Headquarters, S.J.M. Gillani, Commandant General, Home Guards, Abdul Ghani Mir, ADGP Armed Nitish Kumar, ADG BSF Ashok Yadav, Director Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar, senior police and civil administration officers, members of cycling associations, prominent citizens and a large number of young people attended the ceremony. ANB