Protect new dreams from old enemy: LG Sinha
Srinagar, Nov 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday urged the youth to protect their “new dreams” from the “old enemy”.
Addressing the Valedictory session of Foundation Day Celebrations of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora, LG Sinha said J&K youth were scripting a new chapter of hope but needed to guard their dream from terrorism, the biggest enemy of J&K youth for over 3 decades.
“We have created massive infrastructure in 5 years and now young professionals must focus on development strategies to change J&K's fortunes,” he said.
The LG said the massive investment in the last 5 to 6 years in human capital, research and development, incubation centres, and the university’s infrastructure would drive J&K’s economic growth.
He also inaugurated the IUST Innovation Campus and a new administration block at the IUST main campus, Awantipora.
LG Sinha highlighted the transformation of IUST since 2021 and the significant milestones achieved by the university in enrollment, startup incubation, sustainability, research, and innovation.
“Academic programmes increased from 41 to 90 between 2021 and 2025, offering interdisciplinary and cutting-edge courses like AI, Robotics, Design Your Own Degree, Space Technology, Data Sciences, and apprenticeship-based UG-level skill courses,” he said. “Applications in multiple disciplines are up from 3000 in 2021 to 7600 in 2025, with increased diversity from across J&K and beyond.”
The LG said that before 2021, external funding of IUST for research was merely Rs 2 crore annually.
“In 4 years, more than Rs 69 crore external funding was achieved for research,” he said.
“From a ‘zero’ start-up in 2021, the university has grown to incubate 93 start-ups in the last four years, hosted over 225 incubatees, and nurtured award-winning innovations in renewable energy, healthcare, and IT,” LG Sinha said. “Thirty-two patents have been granted, 77 patents published, 33 more filed; additionally, two faculty ranked among the top Indian scientists in their field. It is a matter of pride for IUST.”
He directed the IUST for research innovation in developing low-cost energy resilient houses.
The LG asked the university to look into the ways for effective reuse of road and building construction material and promotion of cold-mix technology for more durable roads.
“IUST must also provide innovative solutions for communication technology to reach remote regions without relying on traditional signal towers,” he said.
LG Sinha said that terrorism was the biggest enemy of the youth of J&K for more than three decades, and it destroyed their dreams and aspirations.
He said now the youth and young professionals were fulfilling their dreams and achieving their aspirations.
“However, our neighbouring country and some of their terrorist elements sitting here are trying to disrupt this progress. We must be vigilant against such an ecosystem and work together to foil their efforts. J&K has created its new destiny, a new identity, and woven new dreams. This must be protected at all costs, and those trying to shatter the dreams of our youth must be strictly dealt with,” the LG said.
Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Vice Chancellor, IUST, Prof Shakil A Romshoo; Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan; Director SKIMS, Prof M Ashraf Ganie; Dean Academic Affairs, Prof A H Moon and Registrar, IUST, Prof Abdul Wahid were also present on the occasion.
