Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday, 12 November 2026, called upon universities, teachers, and cultural institutions across the Union Territory to translate classical texts, promote academic research, and create shared platforms for scholars — asserting that the region's civilisational heritage must remain a living, active force for the younger generation. He was speaking at a two-day national seminar on 'Revival, Preservation and Sustainability of Cultural Heritage of Kashmir', organised by Kakini Building Humanity in Srinagar.

What the L-G Said

'Every university, every teacher, and every cultural institution of this land should work on translating important texts, encourage research, and provide scholars and students with a common platform. I believe that heritage must be alive, it must converse, and it must guide our new generation,' Sinha said at the event. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also participated in the seminar virtually, lending central government weight to the occasion.

Sinha underlined that the present generation's responsibility extends beyond admiring historical wisdom — it must actively organise and make that wisdom accessible to society. He positioned cultural preservation as a people-centric movement rather than a government exercise alone.

Kashmir's Civilisational Legacy

The Lieutenant Governor noted that Jammu and Kashmir is recognised not only for its natural beauty but also for its deep contributions to philosophy, spirituality, language, aesthetics, and human thought. He specifically cited Acharya Abhinavagupta as a philosopher who embodied the unity of spiritual experience, art, and intellectual inquiry, stressing that young people must be introduced to the Valley's eminent thinkers.

Sinha also invoked the vaakhs of Yogini Lalleshwari and Nund Rishi, saying their words 'contain eternal truths that are untouched by the passage of time' and that preserving this tradition of harmony is a collective public responsibility. He reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir's tradition of communal harmony, adding that the heritage of every community must be preserved with sensitivity.

Key Conservation Figures

Highlighting progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Sinha detailed a substantial heritage revival drive across the Union Territory. Under Phase I and II of the conservation initiative, preservation work has been initiated on 106 heritage projects, with over 40 already completed. Under Phase III, 321 projects have been identified, of which 312 have received administrative approval.

In the Jammu and Srinagar archives, digitisation of historical records has covered nearly 96.8 lakh pages — approximately 68 per cent of available documents. Under Mission Gyan Bharatam, surveys have identified 43,000 manuscripts, with digitisation progressing steadily.

Sites Under Restoration

Sinha pointed to active restoration and modernisation work at several cultural landmarks: the Sufiana School in Srinagar, Abhinav Theatre and Kala Kendra in Jammu, and the historic Mubarak Mandi complex. He also referenced ongoing research into recently discovered Kushan-era Buddhist remains in Baramulla district, signalling the breadth of archaeological engagement in the region.

Welcoming documentation initiatives at the Naranag Heritage Complex in Ganderbal by Kakini Building Humanity, Sinha expressed hope that physical restoration work would begin once procedural requirements are fulfilled. He also praised efforts surrounding the Harmukh-Gangbal pilgrimage and welcomed the organisation's establishment of a dedicated chair at the Indian Heritage Institute.

Kashmiri Pandits and Social Fabric

Sinha underscored the invaluable contribution of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley's literary, spiritual, and cultural heritage, stating that their dignified return would help restore Kashmir's complete social and cultural fabric. He commended the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, scholars, archivists, museum professionals, former Army officers, and civil society organisations for their ongoing contributions to cultural conservation and nation-building.

The seminar signals a renewed institutional push to position cultural heritage not as a relic, but as a framework for identity and social cohesion in a Union Territory still navigating its post-2019 political landscape.