Srinagar, October 31, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha is set for a dynamic day of cultural and economic engagements on Saturday, November 1, 2025, highlighting the Union Territory’s commitment to preserving artistic heritage while fueling entrepreneurial innovation. His itinerary includes attending a prestigious national seminar on the legacy of renowned Urdu litterateur Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza and inaugurating a high-profile startup investment event, underscoring the administration’s dual focus on cultural enrichment and economic empowerment.
Honouring Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza’s Enduring Legacy
At 11:15 AM, LG Sinha will grace the national seminar titled “Rahi ki Virasat” (The Legacy of Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza) at the Convention Hall, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. Organized by the university’s Department of Urdu in collaboration with literary bodies, the event aims to celebrate the multifaceted contributions of Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza—a celebrated poet, novelist, and screenwriter whose works like Adha Gaon and Topi Shukla profoundly captured the socio-political ethos of post-partition India and the Muslim experience.The seminar will feature scholarly discussions, recitations of Raza’s poetry, and panel sessions on his influence on Urdu literature, cinema, and cultural identity. LG Sinha, known for his patronage of arts and education, is expected to deliver the keynote address, emphasizing the role of such legacies in fostering communal harmony and intellectual discourse in contemporary Jammu and Kashmir. University officials anticipate participation from eminent scholars, writers, and students, making it a vibrant platform for literary revival in the Valley.Dr. Raza’s works, blending Sufi mysticism with sharp social commentary, continue to resonate amid efforts to promote linguistic diversity and unity in India. This event aligns with broader initiatives under the National Education Policy to integrate cultural studies into academia.
Boosting Startups: “J&K Capital Connect” Investment Drive
Following the literary session, LG Sinha will proceed to the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) at 12:30 PM to inaugurate the startup extravaganza “J&K Capital Connect: Investing in J&K Startups”. Hosted by the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in partnership with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, and NSIC Venture Capital Fund Ltd., the event is poised to bridge J&K’s budding entrepreneurs with national and international investors.The summit will showcase over 50 innovative startups from sectors like agritech, tourism, handicrafts, and sustainable energy, through pitch sessions, networking roundtables, and funding workshops. Key highlights include one-on-one investor meets, policy dialogues on ease of doing business in J&K, and announcements of incentives under the UT’s startup policy. LG Sinha will flag off the proceedings, reinforcing the government’s vision of transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a vibrant startup hub, leveraging its unique geopolitical and resource advantages.
With recent successes in events like the Run for Unity at SKICC, this initiative builds on the momentum of UT-level reforms, aiming to generate employment, attract FDI, and position J&K as a gateway for Himalayan innovation. Organizers project potential investments exceeding Rs 100 crore, catalyzing youth-led growth in the post-Article 370 landscape.These back-to-back engagements reflect LG Manoj Sinha’s holistic approach to governance—nurturing the soul of the region through culture while igniting its economic potential. As Srinagar buzzes with anticipation, November 1 promises to be a milestone in blending tradition with tomorrow’s aspirations.
