Sinha attends the Srinagar Heritage Festival
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha participated in the “Soan Meeraas” Srinagar Heritage Festival at Kashmir Haat today.
Click here to watch the video
In his speech, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated all the artisans and artists who took part, commending the collaboration between the District Administration Srinagar and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre J&K. He emphasized that the Srinagar Heritage Festival celebrates the remarkable contributions of our artisans, folk artists, and writers, honoring our rich cultural heritage that inspires future growth.
The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and artistic heritage and fostering positive changes in the lives of citizens, particularly those connected to art, crafts, and culture.
“The welfare of the artisan community and folk artists is a primary goal of mine. I want every child to be rooted in their heritage and every youth empowered to carry forward the rich legacy of the artisan community, contributing to J&K’s economic development,” he stated.
The Lieutenant Governor also pointed out the progress made in the past four and a half years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, which has led to well-structured policies and timely implementation, enabling craftsmen, artisans, and artists to access better resources and opportunities for growth.
He remarked on Srinagar’s evolution as a cultural hub of Jammu and Kashmir, sharing measures the government is taking to blend ancient traditions with modern facilities in the Union Territory’s cities.
Moreover, he highlighted the vital role of youth, the artist community, and informed citizens in preserving cultural heritage and promoting environmental awareness.
“Protecting and promoting our heritage is essential for sustainable urban development and enhancing urban quality of life. I believe that culture defines a way of life, and we must engage younger generations—the inheritors of our rich legacy—in safeguarding our cultural and natural heritage,” the Lieutenant Governor asserted.
During the event, he launched a book titled “Iconic Women of J&K” and honored the students and artists involved in the Srinagar Heritage Festival.
Previously, he visited the Traditional Village and Art Gallery, where he observed exhibitions, live sports demonstrations, and various traditional cultural activities.
Throughout the Srinagar Heritage Festival, numerous events were organized along the Jhelum Riverfront, Dal Lake, and Kashmir Haat, creating a memorable experience for all participants and visitors while fostering a strong sense of identity and community cohesion.
Present at the event were Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rajiv Omprakash, DIG CKR; Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA; as well as senior officials from security, police, civil administration, artisans, artists, youth, and members from all spheres of society.
