Heritage must reach common people, not remain confined to libraries, says LG Sinha

Calls for preservation of Kashmir’s manuscripts, cultural legacy and transmission to future generations; says Kashmir’s identity remains incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday stressed the need to preserve Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and ensure its transmission to future generations, saying that heritage must reach common people rather than remain confined to libraries and archives.

Addressing a national seminar on ‘Revival, Preservation and Sustainability of Cultural Heritage of Kashmir’ at SKICC Srinagar, the LG said efforts to revive and preserve the region’s cultural legacy would help younger generations reconnect with their historical roots and traditions.

Sinha said every generation eventually becomes part of history, but it is important to ensure that future generations remember its contributions and appreciate the legacy inherited from their ancestors.

“Our heritage is something that our ancestors have passed on to us. It is our responsibility to preserve it and make it accessible to future generations,” he said.

The LG said Kashmir had historically been a centre of knowledge, scholarship and spiritual traditions, emphasising the need to provide scholars and intellectuals with platforms to explore the region’s historical contributions and guide younger generations.

“Heritage is not something that should remain locked in library cupboards. It must reach the common people,” he said, adding that manuscripts preserved over centuries could play a significant role in reconnecting society with its past.

He said a society deeply rooted in its heritage develops a stronger sense of identity, confidence and a broader perspective towards the world.

Highlighting the initiatives undertaken for heritage preservation, Sinha said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, renewed efforts had been made to strengthen archives, promote research and conserve historical sites across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said thousands of manuscripts had been identified, while several initiatives were underway to digitise archival records and undertake conservation work at heritage sites.

Referring to the Kulgam festival, which was launched in 2023, the LG said the initiative aimed to revive the region’s collective cultural pride and provide people with opportunities to reconnect with their traditions.

Invoking Kalhana’s historical chronicle Rajatarangini, Sinha said Kashmir had been associated with spiritual traditions, scholarship and places of pilgrimage for centuries.

“This is not merely a land of mountains, rivers and lakes; it is also a land of spiritual practice and knowledge,” he said.

Stressing the importance of Kashmiri Pandits in the region’s cultural identity, the LG said Kashmir remained incomplete without the community and described their return to their homeland as a commitment towards restoring its heritage and collective dignity.

“Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. The return of our brothers and sisters to their homeland is a commitment to our heritage and collective dignity,” he said.

He added that Kashmir’s shared cultural identity and completeness could be fully restored when all communities were able to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

The LG also acknowledged the contribution of the Army and other security forces in maintaining the prevailing atmosphere, while reiterating the importance of safeguarding Kashmir’s cultural and national heritage. (KNO)