Nothing matches power of writing, says LG Manoj Sinha at Chinar Book Festival

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 18 (STC): Books are like “living conversations” that force individuals to think deeply, question their beliefs, and inspire growth. Nothing matches the power of writing. Combined with a strong imagination, it becomes a lasting strength, said Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while addressing a large gathering of students, literary personalities, and book lovers at Chinar Book Festival here today.
Notably, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, NBT Chairman Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, and Director NBT Yuvraj Malik were among the prominent dignitaries present on the occasion. Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo also attended the event. Besides, a large gathering of students, literary personalities, and book lovers attended the festival.
“This festival is more than just an event. It is a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers, and thinkers. Our goal is to transform Jammu Kashmir into a national hub for knowledge, culture, and creativity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The festival, third in series, is a “movement” to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a national hub for knowledge, culture, and creativity and the youth needs to develop a daily reading habit and work towards protecting endangered languages, the LG said in his address after inaugurating the festival.
He noted that the festival has, in a very short span, evolved into a strong national platform for ideas, debates, and knowledge exchange. He highlighted that its identity is no longer confined to stalls and book launches, but has become a means to generate new ideas and empower the youth.
“I hope this book festival will inspire the youth to read every day, protect endangered languages, and use literature as a way to value and respect diversity,” Sinha said, adding that writers and thinkers are like “glowing lamps and blooming roses,” mirroring the majestic Chinar tree which symbolises patience, beauty, and endurance.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the true success of the festival should not be measured by sales figures but by the ideas and conversations it generates. “If a young person finds a book at this festival that changes the course of their life, that will be the greatest achievement of the Chinar Book Festival,” he remarked.
He also praised the efforts to revive the cultural heritage’s priceless treasure, the Sharada script, and initiatives such as Tamil-Kashmiri dialogues that embody the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Sinha urged the youth to read at least one book beyond their textbooks every month and asked every young writer to resolve to write at least one page daily. “Through the Chinar Book Festival we are ensuring that our children have roots to their identity as well as wings for future flight,” he said.
He visited various book stalls, interacted with exhibitors, and released several publications in different languages. He also asked the organisers to plan a similar book festival in the Jammu region.

(Straight Talk Communications)