Jammu, January 27, 2026: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday emphasized the vital role of poetry and culture in shaping a balanced, progressive, and self-reliant society, stating that cultural enrichment and economic empowerment must go hand in hand for holistic development.
The Lieutenant Governor was addressing the Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Kavi Sammelan at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
Extending his felicitations to the renowned poets participating in the event, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the transformative influence of the literary community, observing that poets possess an exceptional ability to reform the inner fabric of society, drive social momentum, and invigorate the nation’s collective consciousness.
He described poetry as a bridge between the tangible and the ethereal, noting that it guides humanity through life’s journey from familiar experiences to unexplored realms. He added that poetry takes form when deep emotions transcend ordinary language, evolving into an expression that resonates with the rhythm of existence.
The Lieutenant Governor remarked that a truly prosperous society is one that achieves material progress while remaining rooted in cultural and spiritual values, underscoring the indispensable contributions of both scientists and poets in nation-building.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural revival, he said that efforts to rejuvenate languages and promote local culture began in 2020 after decades of neglect. He stressed that it is a shared responsibility to nurture this heritage not merely as a legacy of the past but as a living and evolving tradition.
Highlighting the region’s strengths, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir is endowed with abundant natural resources, human potential, and a rich cultural heritage. He asserted that their prudent and purposeful utilization would enable the fulfilment of people’s aspirations while positioning the Union Territory as a catalyst for national progress.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that culture provides direction to the soul, while economic empowerment offers stability, adding that a harmonious and self-reliant society can emerge only through a balance of both.
Among those present on the occasion were Padma Shri Dr S.P. Varma; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Shri Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Shri Shakti Kumar Pathak, Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau; Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu–Samba–Kathua Range; Ms Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA; Ms Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, along with senior officers, prominent literary personalities, and members of the public.
