Jammu, January 28, 2026:Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday emphasised the transformative power of poetry and culture in shaping a harmonious and progressive society while addressing the Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Kavi Sammelan at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The event was organized by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
Extending his felicitations to the renowned poets participating in the Sammelan, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the vital role of poets in reforming society’s inner consciousness and strengthening the nation’s cultural foundations.
“Poets wield an exceptional power. They can reform society’s inner architecture, propel its momentum forward, and breathe renewed vigor into the nation’s consciousness,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Describing poetry as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual, Shri Manoj Sinha remarked, “To me, poetry forms a corridor linking the tangible with the ethereal. It navigates us through existence and carries us from familiar ground to undiscovered territory.”
He further elaborated that poetry comes alive when emotions surpass ordinary expression. “A poet’s language evolves beyond simple communication and reverberates with the rhythm of existence. Poetry emerges precisely when raw feeling crystallizes into articulate form,” he added.
Highlighting the balance required for societal growth, the Lieutenant Governor noted that a truly prosperous society must combine material advancement with cultural and spiritual richness. “A society rich in progress yet balanced in culture needs the essential contributions of both scientists and poets,” he said.
Speaking on cultural revival in Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Sinha stated that concerted efforts to rejuvenate local languages and cultural heritage began in 2020 after decades of neglect. “It is our collective responsibility to advance this heritage not merely as memory, but as a living, breathing tradition,” he emphasized.
The Lieutenant Governor underlined that culture provides direction to the soul, while economic empowerment provides stability. “A harmonious, progressive, and self-reliant society can emerge only when these two dimensions are balanced,” he said.
“We possess abundant natural resources, immense human capability, and a rich cultural heritage. What we need is wise and deliberate deployment of these resources. This will enable Jammu and Kashmir to fulfill the aspirations of its people and contribute significantly to national development,” he added.
Among those present at the event were Padma Shri Dr S.P. Varma; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Shri Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shri Shakti Kumar Pathak, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau; Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range; Ms Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA; and Ms Harvinder Kour, Secretary JKAACL, along with senior officers, prominent literary figures, and citizens from diverse walks of life.
