Jammu, March 13, 2026: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated the two-day literary-cultural conclave “Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam” at University of Jammu, urging writers, artists and scholars to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Jammu division and inspire younger generations to remain connected to their roots.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu’s traditions in literature, culture and spirituality have always promoted harmony and inclusivity. He noted that the region’s cultural values place humanity above divisions of caste, creed and artificial boundaries.
Highlighting the importance of cultural expression, Sinha said a region’s identity is not defined solely by economic achievements but also by its stories, songs and artistic traditions. He emphasised that enlightened sections of society must recognise folk arts and folk literature as the living vitality of Jammu.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the collective literary and cultural wealth of society shapes its identity and future, urging people to reflect on the deeper sense of belonging that literature and culture create.
“True confluence of culture and literature lies in engaging with the soil through diverse art forms and giving new resonance to the soul of society,” he said.
Paying homage to distinguished literary figures and cultural icons, Sinha observed that folk traditions remain vibrant through the voices of singers, the expressions of writers, the movements of folk dancers and the creativity of artists.
He also called upon the youth to actively serve literature and culture, describing them as the custodians of a living legacy of values passed down through generations. This heritage, he said, carries the responsibility of preserving the region’s cultural and literary traditions while nurturing the spirit of inclusiveness.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that protecting language preserves collective memory, while promoting regional art forms builds confidence and identity within communities.
“Local stories, dialects and artistic traditions nourish individual identity. When generations share their experiences, cultural and literary heritage evolves into a living dialogue rather than remaining confined to the past,” he added.
The two-day conclave features cultural processions, exhibitions of indigenous attire, handicrafts, traditional cuisines, books and artworks, along with panel discussions and other activities celebrating the region’s languages, folklore, customs and creative traditions.
On the occasion, the first edition of the University’s multilingual magazine “The Litzine” was also released.
Among those present were Vice-Chancellor Umesh Rai of the University of Jammu; Vice-Chancellor Pragati Kumar of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Vice-Chancellor K. S. Chandrasekar of Cluster University of Jammu; Consulting Editor Rajkishor of Amar Ujala; Editor Jai Prakash Pandey of India Today Group; Dean Research Studies Neelu Rohmetra; Registrar Neeraj Sharma; and coordinator Sadaf Shah, along with faculty members, officials, prominent citizens and a large number of students.
