Rahi Masoom Raza’s legacy inspires youth to dream: LG Manoj Sinha
Srinagar, Nov 1: Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha on Friday said that Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza continues to inspire generations to dream and believe in their potential.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day international seminar on Raza’s legacy at the University of Kashmir, Sinha said the celebrated writer’s greatest gift was “the message of self-realization and the art of living life with purpose.”
He urged that Raza’s ideals be carried beyond academic forums and shared widely with the public, describing them as “an invisible infrastructure for India’s progressive society.” According to KNS, Sinha said Raza’s thoughts promote unity, equality, and collective growth, particularly uplifting marginalized communities.
The event was jointly organized by IDEA Communications, the University of Kashmir, Majlis Fakhr-e-Bahrain, and J&K Bank.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nilofar Khan chaired the session, while Professor Naveen Chand Lohani of Uttarakhand Open University and Brij Mohan Sharma, Chief Secretary, Department of Culture, J&K, attended as special guests. Noted Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjaan delivered the keynote address.
In his address, Sinha said the seminar aims to generate new ideas inspired by Raza’s vision for a developed India. “This Amrit Manthan will bring new reflections and a new path for society,” he remarked.
During the event, Urdu poet Dr. Noor Amrohvi, editor Ajit Singh, educationist Vijay Dhar, and Urdu scholar Professor Muhammad Zaman Azurdah were honoured for their literary and social contributions.
Professor Nilofar Khan emphasized that writers like Rahi Masoom Raza remind us that literature not only mirrors society but also guides it.
Sameer Anjaan praised Raza’s emotional depth, saying his words “connect directly with people’s hearts,” while Professor Lohani noted that Raza’s literature “respects emotions, not boundaries,” and remains profoundly relevant today.
Asif Azmi, Director of IDEA Communications, said the seminar marks the beginning of Raza’s centenary celebrations, which will continue through 2026.
The seminar has brought together over 40 scholars from India and abroad, including representatives from Qatar, the United States, and leading Indian universities, who will present research papers on Raza’s literary and cultural contributions.
A Mushaira and poetic symposium will be held on November 2 at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, featuring poets from India, Qatar, and the USA.
