Srinagar, May 30, 2026 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday asserted that writers, poets, historians and scholars play a greater role in shaping civilizations than institutions, while calling for a collective effort to break the colonial mindset and reclaim India’s authentic historical narrative.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Kashmir Literature Festival-2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the transformative power of literature and intellectual discourse in shaping societies and preserving civilizational memory.
“Great poets, writers and creative minds become immortal through their knowledge and work. The human body is mortal, but creation becomes the symbol of immortality,” Sinha said while addressing a gathering of eminent writers, researchers, historians, academicians and literary enthusiasts.
Highlighting the influence of literature, the Lieutenant Governor remarked that a single novel or literary work can sometimes create a deeper and more lasting impact than vast resources spent by institutions.
“A single novel can achieve what crores of rupees spent by institutions often fail to accomplish,” he observed.
Welcoming participants and guests from across the country, Sinha expressed confidence that visitors would experience and appreciate Kashmir’s rich literary, cultural and intellectual heritage during the festival being held on May 30 and 31.
Drawing an analogy from Indian mythology, the Lieutenant Governor said that India’s literary and intellectual community resembles Hanuman before realizing his immense strength and potential.
“India’s literary world is yet to fully recognize the depth of its own civilizational knowledge and intellectual traditions,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call from the Red Fort to eliminate colonial influences from public thinking, Sinha said the time had come to completely free India from colonial-era narratives and distortions.
“We must ensure that our history is not presented in a distorted manner. It is time to erase the colonial mindset completely,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that one of modern India’s greatest shortcomings was its failure to adequately document and preserve its own history, which allowed alternative narratives to emerge that overlooked or minimized India’s contributions to global knowledge and scientific advancement.
“India gave the world the foundations of mathematics, science and astronomy. Several civilizations learned from India’s knowledge systems,” Sinha said.
He added that historical references found in Persian and Arab texts from the eighth century acknowledged India’s contributions in various fields, including science, mathematics and intellectual thought.
Sinha also challenged the perception that reading habits are declining in the modern era.
Citing recent research, he noted that more than 40 lakh books were published worldwide in 2025, demonstrating that literature and knowledge-sharing continue to flourish globally.
“The doors have opened. We must use these platforms and mediums to build strong and positive narratives,” he said.
The two-day Kashmir Literature Festival features literary discussions, poetry readings, historical debates, cultural exchanges and interactive sessions involving writers, historians, researchers and academicians from different parts of the country.
The event aims to promote dialogue on literature, history, culture, heritage and contemporary issues while showcasing Kashmir’s longstanding contribution to intellectual and literary traditions.
