Jammu, February 27 Asserting that students must embrace innovation, research on fresh ideas, experimentation, and contribute to nation-building, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday that the youth hold immense power to steer society and the nation towards the future.
He emphasized the need to cultivate balanced minds and bold innovators for sustainable development.
"Empowered youth shape the future, and I believe that intellectual depth, creative strength, and innovative youth leadership are essential for national progress," the LG said.
Sinha was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 'Goonj 2026', a youth festival hosted by the University of Jammu. The two-day event aims to provide a platform for youth from diverse disciplines to share ideas, educate themselves, and foster innovation.
The LG said that when young people ignite the flame of courage within themselves and step forward with unwavering belief, new opportunities open up for society and the nation.
"Respect your traditions, honor your past, and connect with your roots. This will deepen the profound sense of identity, confidence, and self-awareness that no classroom can ever fully teach," he said.
Sinha noted that the purpose of education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge, but the creation of enlightened citizens who are sensitive to their duties. "True education prepares youth to create entirely new answers and solutions that the world has not yet imagined. Students enter campuses not merely for degrees, but to nurture culture, explore new ideas, choose bold paths, and courageously drive societal progress," he said.
The LG said that the world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and the technological explosion has transformed educational institutions and industries alike.
He urged faculty members to make their higher education campuses hubs for new ideas. "The effort must go beyond the curriculum. There should be genuine dialogue across disciplines. Every lecture in every classroom should become a doorway to new possibilities," he said.
On the occasion, the LG also launched the podcast "JU Vaachan", an initiative by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Jammu.
