Associated News Bureau

LG Sinha Urges Writers to Reclaim India’s Narrative at Kashmir Literature Festival

Srinagar, May 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the third edition of the Kashmir Literature Festival in Srinagar and called upon writers, scholars, and intellectuals to play a proactive role in shaping a positive national discourse through literature and creative expression. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that writers possess the power to influence societies and inspire generations, noting that their craft extends beyond words and resonates deeply with the aspirations and experiences of people. He stressed the need to eliminate remnants of the colonial mindset and counter attempts to distort India’s history and contemporary realities. According to the Lieutenant Governor, writers have a responsibility to present factual narratives and ensure that the country’s heritage, achievements, and civilizational contributions are accurately represented before a global audience. Highlighting India’s historical legacy, Sinha said the nation had been a global center of knowledge, culture, philosophy, education, and economic prosperity for centuries. He underlined India’s significant contributions to science, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, which, he said, laid the foundations for socio-economic progress in many parts of the world. The Lieutenant Governor observed that there is an urgent need to restore historical narratives and communicate them effectively to society. He remarked that while India’s ancestors meticulously documented knowledge and facts, the country gradually lost the practice of writing and preserving its own history in modern times. He noted that India’s rich traditions, cultural heritage, and scientific advancements were often inadequately communicated, leading to misconceptions regarding the origins of several discoveries and innovations. Such claims, he said, lack historical basis. Sinha further stated that foreign historians had at times overlooked or underrepresented India’s achievements in science, literature, art, and architecture. He maintained that India had established itself as a scientific civilization long before many other regions began documenting advancements in these fields. The Lieutenant Governor also urged writers to present the contributions of India’s great thinkers, scientists, and visionaries in a simple and accessible manner so that a wider audience can engage with the country’s intellectual and cultural legacy. Referring to India’s contemporary achievements, he said the nation has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and remains among the fastest-growing major economies. He expressed confidence that India’s vision of becoming a fully developed nation by 2047 would further strengthen national pride and global standing. Concluding his address, Sinha said that the task before writers and thinkers is not one of self-congratulation but of building a strong and credible national narrative rooted in historical truth, cultural confidence, and contemporary progress. He reiterated that writers have the unique ability to shape civilizations and influence the course of history.