Observing that the time has come for Kashmiri Pandits to reconnect with their roots and contribute to the future of a transformed Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that the community's journey from displacement to global success stands as a remarkable example of courage, resilience, and determination.
Manoj Sinha attended the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave in Srinagar on Saturday. The landmark event was attended by distinguished members of the Kashmiri Pandit community from India and abroad to celebrate the community's journey of resilience, renaissance, and return.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave celebrates the community's patience and resilience, honours its achievements, and, above all, lays the foundation for the return of community members.
"A moment of transformation is here. Those once uprooted from their homeland are returning, and this homecoming is the truest victory," he said, adding, "The presence of business leaders, corporate heads, technology entrepreneurs, and cultural icons sends a powerful message of confidence in the peace of Jammu and Kashmir and trust in the administrative stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
"The journey of the Kashmiri Pandit community has been scarred by genocide, exile, and struggle. The world once witnessed its wounds and now witnesses its triumph. The community chose a different path. Its members refused to be defined by their wounds and struggles. Instead, they transformed that pain into strength," the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon distinguished members of the Kashmiri Pandit community to set up industries and academic and cultural institutions in Jammu and Kashmir that would become enduring symbols of their heritage and provide opportunities for generations to come.
He emphasised that the Kashmiri Pandit community's contribution is needed across industry, education, arts, and spirituality.
"I believe the true measure of life lies in what we give back, in the hope we inspire, and in the change we leave behind for our society and nation. That is the essence of a meaningful life, and that is real service. It is this legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come," the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor also observed that the world remembers the 1990s, when the Kashmiri Pandit community faced unimaginable brutality and endured massacres. Overnight, families were forced to leave everything behind and live in exile within their own country.
"Lives marked by pain and struggle left the Kashmiri Pandit community with only two choices – despair or rebuilding. They chose creation, reconstruction, and selfless service, and in doing so, they made history. Carrying the weight of massacres, they never turned away from their purpose," the Lieutenant Governor pointed out.
"Hardship never broke the spirit of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Suffering did not silence its ambition. Instead, its members shaped their destiny by building industries, founding institutions, driving innovation, and earning respect across the world," he said.
"Today, I am proud that the Kashmiri Pandit community is celebrated for reaching new heights of success. The world honours its talent, leadership, and contributions to humanity," the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that the Global Conclave also indicates that the time has come for the reconstruction and revival of the ancient glory of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
He said that the discussions at the conclave on building global industries and institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as creating a shared economic future, provide blueprints and pathways for cultural revival, economic empowerment, and community restoration.
"You turned struggle into strength, and that struggle forged community leaders who achieved excellence in technology, finance, medicine, the arts, and civil services," he said, adding, "That struggle also produced entrepreneurs who built companies shaping global markets and scholars who enriched the academic world and influenced policy."
"Through your advancement, the Kashmiri Pandit community reminded the world that resolve, courage, and determination are the greatest weapons. Today, as the world celebrates your accomplishments, it honours your talent, patience, and the spirit that refused to bow," the Lieutenant Governor told the distinguished members present at the conclave.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the return of the Kashmiri Pandit community reflects the emergence of a new Jammu and Kashmir after 2019.
"The strength of this new Jammu and Kashmir reflects your resolve. Its hope reflects your vision. Jammu and Kashmir, which witnessed the massacres, pain, and displacement of the Kashmiri Pandit community, has been transformed into a centre of reconstruction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
"I often say that history is written by those who rise again after suffering and confronting countless challenges. Having earned global recognition, you are now returning to your roots. This dignified return is also the resolve of the Prime Minister," Sinha asserted, adding, "I salute your courage. I honour your steadfastness. I appreciate your achievements, and I reaffirm our commitment that together we will ensure a future brighter than the past and that the pride of the Kashmiri Pandit community will shine again for the welfare of all humanity."
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the contribution of the Kashmiri Pandit community towards building a Viksit Bharat would be significant and that it would play an important role in the nation's development journey.
