Jammu and Kashmir should become a national cultural hub, says LG Sinha
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha proposed a five-point agenda to expand the Veshow Festival and link it with tourism and handicrafts.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir must be established as a significant cultural centre for the country. Speaking at the inauguration of the Veshow Festival in Kulgam, Sinha emphasised the importance of protecting literary traditions and sharing the region's heritage with a national audience, according to the Kashmir Observer.
The festival, which began in 2023, serves as a platform for creativity and dialogue. Sinha noted that the event brings together literature, art, and livelihoods, including an antique village that showcases local history and craftsmanship.
To grow the festival, the Lieutenant Governor proposed a five-point plan. This includes creating a 'Veshow Archive' for oral traditions, using technology for multilingual translations, expanding mobile libraries to remote areas, integrating the event with tourism and handicrafts, and establishing a 'Veshow Writers' Residency' for national authors.
Sinha also urged young people to use digital platforms and podcasts to promote the traditions and crafts of Kulgam. He stated that the festival should be transformed into a cultural movement to support artisans and promote local homestays.
In a separate event at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Sinha inaugurated four infrastructure facilities. These include a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) irrigation system, a Prototype Design and Development Centre, a Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a Health and Wellness Centre.
The Lieutenant Governor told the university to take new agricultural technology to villages within the next year. He also encouraged SKUAST-K to facilitate at least 100 student-led startups and enterprises over the coming year.