Srinagar, July 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday emphasized the critical need for strengthening the spirit of equal respect for all religions, addressing an Interfaith Dialogue for Harmony in Baramulla. The event, organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation, also saw the Lieutenant Governor commend the foundation’s contributions to a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Lieutenant Governor Sinha highlighted the unwavering dedication of young volunteers in the drug-free campaign, stating they had worked selflessly to secure a better future for the Union Territory. He remarked that the initiative had bolstered trust within families and institutions, reinforced the confidence of the youth in their future prospects, and sent a clear message nationwide that a society united can overcome significant challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor further underscored that Jammu and Kashmir has historically been a land embodying harmony and brotherhood. For generations, people of diverse faiths have coexisted with mutual respect and experienced spiritual peace, a legacy attributed to the teachings of saints, Sufis, and Rishis who promoted love, compassion, and unity.
He specifically referenced the spiritual figures of Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam, explaining that their teachings transcended religious boundaries, focusing on universal human values. Lal Ded’s ‘Vakh’ resonated with the human heart, irrespective of faith, while Sheikh-ul-Alam exemplified that true devotion lies in compassion and service to humanity, not in conflict or division. The flourishing Rishi-Sufi tradition in Kashmir, he noted, teaches that all religions and beliefs draw strength from the same source, a shared heritage that belongs to every citizen of the land.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha asserted that social and religious harmony is the fundamental pillar upon which a robust society, a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, and a developed India can be constructed. He stated that peaceful coexistence among people channels societal energy towards development, making harmony both a moral imperative and a foundation for economic prosperity and a brighter future.
He urged the strengthening of respect for all religions to ensure equal opportunities for every citizen and called for reinforcing mutual goodwill to eradicate poverty. The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the importance of unity in promoting fraternity to combat challenges like drug addiction. A message, he proposed, should emanate from Baramulla today, asserting that India can teach the world how different communities and faiths can coexist in peace, joy, and trust.
Addressing the youth directly, the Lieutenant Governor encouraged them to believe in their capabilities and their potential to forge a future more promising than the past. He acknowledged the past scourge of drugs and militancy that had impacted the youth’s consciousness and aspirations but declared with conviction that this era has ended. He stated that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are now steering their future, guiding the Union Territory towards a new dawn of education, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual awareness, and national unity. He concluded his address by calling for a collective effort to build a stronger, more prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit, Lieutenant Governor Sinha also engaged with various public delegations and assured them of appropriate action on the issues they raised. Present at the event were Major General Manoj Joshi, GoC, Dagger Division; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture Department; Dr. Vinod Kumar, DIG North Kashmir Range; Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla; Gurinderpal Singh, SSP Baramulla; Wajahat Farooq Bhat, Chairman, Save Youth Save Future Foundation; along with members of the foundation, senior officials, civil society members, prominent citizens, and a large number of people from diverse backgrounds.
The Chenab Times News Desk