Srinagar, Aug 15: Asserting that the government and the administration is with all those who want to strengthen democracy in J&K, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that the dialogue process will be intensified with all the people of the Union Territory in coming days.
However, he didn’t elaborate further on the subject.
Sinha made these remarks during his Independence Day speech at S K Cricket Stadium in Srinagar, where the main function was held in the Union Territory under unprecedented security arrangements on Saturday.
“Our government and administration is with all those who want to strengthen democracy in J&K. We want to intensify the dialogue process with all the people in the coming days,” Mr Sinha said.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A, Sinha said that a new era of normalcy and development has dawned due to the constitutional change enacted in 2019.
During his speech, the LG said that Jammu and Kashmir has offered an invaluable contribution to nurture and ensure a cultural harmony and peaceful co-existence between Hinduism and Sufi Islam. “The traditional cultural harmony of Jammu and Kashmir has ensured the peaceful co-existence of Hindus and Muslims, mutual respect for their places of worship, and offered a new paradigm of the protection of not just cultural mores, but also religious rituals,” he added.
He said countless freedom fighters offered the ultimate sacrifice to liberate India from the yoke of foreign tyranny. “This auspicious day offers us an occasion to commemorate their struggle and sacrifice, while offering our sincere tribute and gratitude for their contribution. Moreover, this day inspires us to renew our resolve to preserve and protect the independence and integrity of our country. On this day, we must reflect on the task, which we have undertaken for the evolution of a poverty free, disease free and illiteracy free society,” he said.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has always been an integral part of the existence of India in each and every respect – culturally, politically, socially, and spiritually. “Jammu and Kashmir has a time honoured tradition of assimilating and embracing every religion and tradition right from Kalhan’s Rajtarangini to Shankaracharya’s Advaita, Sufi Islam to the Buddhist philosophy of Mahayana. And this peaceful and syncretic co-existence is reflected in the lives of the inhabitants of this land,” he said.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s doctrine of Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat, he said humanity conceded defeat to terrorism for decades in Kashmir, democracy suffered at the hands of vested interests, and Kashmiriyat was massacred to appease the hatred that ensued. It is a matter of great sorrow that the legacy of cultural syncretism has been eclipsed by the vicious story of sectarianism,” he said.
He said after the constitutional change enacted in 2019, the central government took not one or two, but historic 50 decisions to transform the face of the region. “A new era of normalcy and development has dawned due to the changes effected in the last year; a new journey has been undertaken. To ensure that this journey allows us to reach our destination quickly, the government has earmarked five targets to be achieved. Firstly, we wish to put in place a just and transparent system of governance, which will be dedicated to empowering the marginalized and weaker sections of society. Secondly, we want to establish a thriving grassroot level democracy. Thirdly, we wish to ensure maximum welfare by ensuring that every person benefits from government schemes. Fourthly, we are committed to accelerate the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, Economic development, creation of employment opportunities and livelihood will be our primary priority,” he said.
He said the greatest power with the youth is the power of transformative imagination. “It is your greatest strength. Change is the only constant – we often hear this saying, and no one can deny the veracity of this truth. But I believe that there is another allied truth to this transformation that we all accept. This truth is that throughout history, youth-power has been the harbinger of all transformations,” he said.
“We often hear that the youth and student life can only be experienced just once, and vanishes in the twinkling of an eye. But I believe that if the youth make optimum use of their youthful years, then this short time is sufficient to effect the greatest transformation,” he said.
The LG said youth and student life are defined through activism. “My own student life can be defined by my engagement with activism. I have been a student leader, and was active in student politics. Activism is not a bad thing, but to choose the correct option is of utmost significance. Your activism should be directed at development of the nation, as this country belongs to none other than you, and you are its future leaders,” he said.
