Khelo India Water Sports Festival: LG Manoj Sinha Heralds J&K’s Peace and Progress

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival, held at Dal Lake in Srinagar from August 21 to 23, 2025, stands as a powerful symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s journey toward peace, normalcy, and progress. This inaugural event, graced by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, brought together over 800 athletes from 28 States and Union Territories, transforming the iconic lake into a vibrant hub of sporting excellence. Beyond its competitive spirit, the festival highlights J&K’s emergence as a national sports destination, boosts summer tourism, and empowers the region’s youth, with Sinha’s leadership playing a pivotal role in this transformation. The festival, part of the Khelo India initiative championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, featured rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and demonstration events like water skiing, dragon boat racing, and a shikara race. Hosting such a diverse national event at Dal Lake underscores J&K’s evolving identity, moving from a region once marred by conflict to one that celebrates unity and opportunity. As Sinha emphasized during the opening ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convocation Centre, the event sends a “strong message of peace, normalcy, and progress.” It builds on J&K’s success in hosting five Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, which have drawn visitors to its snow-covered slopes. Now, water sports at Dal Lake promise to elevate summer tourism, providing an economic boost to local communities, from shikara operators to hospitality businesses. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted the lake’s historical connection to water-based activities, making it an ideal venue to blend sports with Kashmir’s cultural and ecological heritage. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s presence and vision were central to the event’s success. Welcoming athletes and officials, he introduced the festival’s mascot, inspired by the Himalayan Kingfisher, symbolizing adventure and nature. Sinha expressed gratitude to Modi for entrusting Srinagar with this historic event and praised the collaborative efforts of the Union Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, J&K Sports Council, and local communities. His address highlighted J&K’s transformation, urging athletes to become “ambassadors of new Jammu Kashmir” by sharing stories of a region where youth now thrive in stadiums rather than streets. He noted the surge in sports participation, from 3-4 lakh youth annually before 2019 to 30-40 lakh today, driven by modern infrastructure and opportunities under Modi’s leadership. Sinha also addressed recent challenges, like cloudbursts in Kishtwar and Kathua, assuring affected families of support, reflecting his commitment to both sports and community welfare. The festival’s impact extends beyond sports, touching J&K’s socio-economic and cultural fabric. The inclusion of shikara races and the kingfisher mascot celebrates the region’s heritage, while the participation of athletes from across India fosters national integration. Sinha described this “unity in diversity” as the spirit of India, with athletes forging bonds that transcend regional boundaries. Local talent, like 17-year-old Mohsin Ali, a shikarawalla who won gold in men’s singles kayaking, exemplifies the potential of J&K’s youth. Economically, the event stimulates summer tourism, diversifying J&K’s appeal beyond winter sports. As Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, observed, athletes’ positive experiences will promote Kashmir’s beauty, drawing more visitors and boosting local businesses. This aligns with Modi’s vision of linking sports with tourism to elevate J&K’s global profile. The festival also inspires J&K’s youth to pursue sports as a career, supported by initiatives like Khelo India and the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, as highlighted by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his video message. These efforts aim to make sports a way of life and position India as a global sporting powerhouse. For J&K, the event marks a step toward becoming the Water Sports Capital of India, with modern facilities and a growing sports ecosystem empowering youth to stay away from anti-social activities and drugs, as Sinha noted. In conclusion, the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake is a milestone in J&K’s journey of transformation. Under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s leadership, it showcases the region’s potential as a sports and tourism hub, fosters national unity, and empowers its youth. By promoting peace, progress, and prosperity, the festival positions J&K as a beacon of hope, ready to host more national and international events, inspiring athletes and visitors alike to carry forward the message of a vibrant, transformed region.