Srinagar, August 2, 2025 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today emphasized the importance of reviving India’s ancient knowledge systems and integrating them into mainstream education. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘Chinar Book Festival’ organized by the National Book Trust of India in Srinagar.
The event was also attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with a host of scholars, writers, students, and literary enthusiasts.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the Ministry of Education and the National Book Trust (NBT) for providing a platform to readers, thinkers, and writers from across the country to engage with fresh ideas and literary perspectives.
“Books open a window to the world. They offer new ideas, broaden our understanding, and promote critical thinking. The Chinar Book Festival will help connect our youth with the rich literary and cultural heritage of our nation,” said LG Sinha.
He underlined the significance of India’s civilizational legacy and called upon writers to “rewrite history to correct past distortions.”
“Our civilization was not only economically prosperous but also a global hub for literature, science, and spirituality,” he said, adding that India gifted the world with invaluable knowledge in mathematics, medicine, and science.
“We must free ourselves from the colonial mindset and take pride in our cultural, literary, and scientific heritage,” he noted.
The LG highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is undergoing a cultural, scientific, and economic renaissance, and that writers and intellectuals play a vital role in strengthening the nation’s spiritual and social fabric.
He urged the NBT to take proactive steps in reviving ancient Indian texts by publishing and translating works like the Nilamat Purana, Rajatarangini, and Kathasaritsagara into multiple Indian languages. These should also be showcased prominently at international book festivals to promote Jammu and Kashmir’s unique literary contributions globally.
Furthermore, LG Sinha encouraged the NBT to promote regional literature—Kashmiri, Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, Urdu, and Punjabi—through translations and greater visibility at literary events across the country.
The event also marked the inauguration of ‘Saradaksarani’—the first national exhibition of Sharada alphabets, and the release of the Kashmiri translation of the book titled “Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh – Through the Ages.” Winners of the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya Amrit Kaal Story Writing Competition were also felicitated.
Notable attendees included Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman, ICHR; Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener, Chinar Book Festival; Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT; along with heads of educational institutions, senior officials, authors, youth, and students.
