JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday underscored the transformative role of youth in shaping the nation’s future, asserting that young minds possess immense potential to drive social change and sustainable development.
He was addressing the inaugural session of ‘Goonj 2026’, a two-day youth festival organised by the University of Jammu. The event aims to provide a dynamic platform for students from diverse academic backgrounds to exchange ideas, celebrate creativity, and envision a shared future.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to cultivate balanced thinking and bold innovation among young people. “Empowered youth engineer the future. Intellectual depth, creative strength and innovative leadership are crucial for national progress,” he said.
Encouraging students to embrace change, he urged them to pursue original research, experiment fearlessly, and contribute actively to nation-building. He also highlighted the importance of staying rooted in cultural traditions, noting that a strong sense of identity and self-awareness builds confidence beyond what formal education alone can offer.
Emphasising the true purpose of education, he said it must go beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge to the creation of enlightened citizens who are conscious of their responsibilities. “Students enter campuses not just to earn degrees, but to nurture culture, explore new ideas, take bold paths and drive societal progress,” he remarked.
Observing the rapid pace of technological and global transformation, he called upon faculty members to turn higher education institutions into hubs of innovation and fresh ideas. He advocated meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue and urged educators to make every classroom a gateway to new possibilities.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also launched “JU Vaachan,” a podcast initiative of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Jammu.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, senior faculty members, officials, students, and several distinguished guests, including Padma Shri awardees and former DGP Ashok Bhan, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
