LG Manoj Sinha urges Kashmiri Pandits to set up industries, institutions in J&K

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Saturday called upon distinguished members of the Kashmiri Pandit Community to set up industries, academic and cultural institutions in Jammu and Kashmir that will become the immortal story of their heritage and provide opportunities to generations to come. He emphasised that the Kashmiri Pandit Community’s contribution is needed across industry, education, arts and spirituality.

Addressing the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave at Srinagar, LG Manoj Sinha said the return of the Kashmiri Pandit community reflects that after 2019, a new Jammu and Kashmir has been born.

“The strength of this new Jammu Kashmir reflects your resolve. It’s hope reflects your vision. Jammu Kashmir, which witnessed the massacres, pain, and displacement of the Kashmiri Pandit community, has been transformed into a centre of reconstruction by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The conclave was attended by distinguished personalities of the Kashmiri Pandit community from India and abroad to celebrate the community’s journey of resilience, renaissance, and return.

LG Sinha 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. I salute your courage. I honour your steadfastness. I appreciate your achievements, and I express the 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.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave celebrates the community’s patience and resilience and honours their achievements and, above all, lays the foundation for the return of the community members.

“A moment of transformation is here. Those once uprooted from their homeland return, and this homecoming is the truest victory. The presence of business leaders, corporate heads, technology entrepreneurs, and cultural icons sends a powerful message of confidence in the peace of Jammu Kashmir, and trust in the administrative stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sinha said, the journey of the Kashmiri Pandit Community has been scarred by genocide, exile and struggle. The world once witnessed their wounds and now triumph. The community chose a different path. They refused to be defined by wounds and struggle. Instead, they transformed that pain into strength,” 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 and, overnight, families were forced to leave everything behind and live in exile in their own country.

“Lives marked by pain and struggle gave the Kashmiri Pandit community only two choices- despair or rebuilding. They chose creation, rebuilding and selfless service and in doing so, the community made history. Carrying the weight of a massacre, they never turned away from their purpose.

Today, I am proud that the Kashmiri Pandit community is celebrated for reaching new heights of success. The world honours their talent, leadership, and contributions to humanity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.