Rewrite history to correct distorted facts: LG Sinha
Srinagar, Aug 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday urged the writers to rewrite history to correct the distorted facts.
In his address at the ‘Chinar Book Festival’ organised by the National Book Trust of India at Srinagar, LG Sinha called upon the writers to think about rewriting history to correct the facts, which were distorted in the past.
“New generation must be made aware that our civilisation was economically prosperous and it was also the global centre of literature, science, and spirituality,” he said. “Ancient India was the engine of world civilisation and culture. We gave the gift of science, mathematics, and medicines to the world, and we should be proud of our cultural, literary, scientific, and spiritual heritage.”
The inaugural event was also attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“The roots of our knowledge and science have always been immense. We need to liberate ourselves from the colonial mindset, and the new generation must be told that our heritage has led the world, and the gift of science that we have given to the entire humanity is incomparable,” the LG said.
He congratulated the Union Ministry of Education and the National Book Trust for providing an opportunity to the readers to keep track of new ideas and perspectives and interact with eminent writers and scholars from across the country.
“The books open the window to the world. Books offer new ideas and fresh perspectives that change the way we perceive things and promote critical thinking. Chinar Book Festival will connect the new generation to our precious literary heritage and inspire them to preserve and promote our traditional wisdom left behind by our ancestors,” LG Sinha said.
He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was witnessing an economic, cultural, and scientific renaissance, simultaneously.
The LG said that to strengthen the nation’s spiritual, social, and emotional unity, the unique contributions of writers and thinkers were essential.
He emphasised reviving India’s ancient knowledge system and making it a part of mainstream education.
LG Sinha called upon the National Book Trust to publish and translate the Nilamat Purana, Rajatarangini, and Kathasaritsagara into various Indian languages.
“These editions in regional language should also be prominently featured at international book festivals to introduce the world to J&K’s unique literary heritage,” he said.
The LG asked the National Book Trust to actively promote famous literature from Kashmiri, Urdu, Pahari, Gojri, Dogri, and Punjabi at book festivals and ensure their translation into various languages to reach a wider audience.
The event also witnessed the inauguration of ‘Saradaksarani’, the first national exhibition of the Sharada alphabet, and the Kashmiri translation of the book, ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh through the Ages’.
The winners of Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya Amrit Kaal Story Writing Competition were also announced.
Chairman, National Book Trust, Prof Milind Sudhakar Marathe; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; Chairman Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Prof Raghuvendra Tanwar; Chief Convener, Chinar Book Festival, Amit Wanchoo; Director, National Book Trust, Yuvraj Malik; vice heads of various educational institutions, senior officials, eminent literary personalities, book lovers, youth and children in large number were also present on the occasion.
