Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Emphasising the need for deeper engagement between the Kashmiri Pandit community and their ancestral homeland, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the time has come for Kashmiri Pandits to reconnect with their roots and actively contribute to the future of a transformed and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave: From Exile to Excellence at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor described the gathering as a historic occasion that celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Kashmiri Pandit community while reaffirming its enduring connection with the Valley.
“I see before me the sons and daughters of this soil. We are witnessing a historic moment in Srinagar,” LG Sinha said while addressing delegates from across the country and abroad.
Reflecting on the turbulent events of the 1990s that led to the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, the Lieutenant Governor said the community faced immense hardship, displacement and uncertainty. Despite being uprooted from their homeland overnight, he noted, Kashmiri Pandits demonstrated extraordinary resilience and refused to let adversity define their destiny.
“Kashmir witnessed the pain of your displacement, and today it is witnessing your resurgence, confidence and achievements. Your journey from exile to excellence is a story of courage, perseverance and determination that inspires generations,” he said.
LG Sinha praised the community for preserving its cultural identity, traditions and intellectual legacy despite decades of displacement. He highlighted the contributions of Kashmiri Pandits in diverse fields, including education, science, technology, administration, literature, business and public service, both in India and across the globe.
The Lieutenant Governor said that while the community’s achievements have earned it global recognition, its emotional and cultural bond with Kashmir remains unbroken. He stressed that the present generation has a unique opportunity to reconnect with its roots and participate in the region’s ongoing development and transformation.
Referring to the significant changes witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, LG Sinha said the Union Territory is progressing rapidly on multiple fronts, including infrastructure development, economic growth, tourism, education and governance reforms. He urged members of the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora to become stakeholders in this new era of growth and prosperity.
“The future of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to all its people. The participation of Kashmiri Pandits in shaping this future is not only important but essential,” he said.
The conclave brought together prominent members of the Kashmiri Pandit community from across the world, providing a platform to discuss issues related to cultural preservation, community welfare, heritage restoration and the role of the diaspora in the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event also served as a celebration of the community’s achievements and a reaffirmation of its deep-rooted connection with Kashmir, reinforcing hopes for greater engagement and reconciliation in the years ahead.
