Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said spiritual values must guide both individual and institutional conduct to build a peaceful, prosperous and compassionate society, while urging the youth to remain connected with the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Addressing the annual Harbah Festival at Teerathraj Lok Bhawan in Anantnag after paying obeisance to Mata Sidh Lakshmi, the Lieutenant Governor said the festival was a profound occasion of devotion, gratitude and inner reflection.
He extended greetings to devotees participating in the annual Hawan and said the sacred site, with its serene surroundings, represented India’s timeless spiritual tradition.
“Every stone, every stream, and every breath here conveys the immortal consciousness of our Sanatan culture and spiritual heritage, which has guided humanity for centuries along the path of truth, compassion and dharma,” he said.
Referring to the historical significance of the shrine, Sinha said the place was known as Lokpunya, as mentioned in Kalhana’s Rajatarangini. He said the annual Hawan and flag hoisting were reviving the values of devotion, service, sacrifice, patience and social harmony.
Highlighting the challenges posed by modern life, the Lieutenant Governor said that while science and technology had brought people closer, they had also contributed to growing loneliness and social divisions.
“The Harbah Festival reminds us that true devotion manifests as service to humanity, mutual respect and selfless love,” he said.
Sinha stressed that spiritual values should remain the foundation of society and called for greater emphasis on unity, compassion and respect for all.
He also outlined three priorities for building a stronger society, saying spiritual values should guide personal and institutional conduct, mental and spiritual well-being should receive equal importance alongside physical health, and young people should be encouraged to serve the nation with dedication and selflessness.
Calling upon the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to pursue modern education while remaining rooted in their cultural and spiritual traditions.
“True knowledge is realized through humility, and its strength becomes sacred when used in the service of others,” he said.
Among those present were Padma Shri Brij Lal Bhat, ISKCON Projects Director Swami Sriram Charana Aravinda Dasa, DIG South Kashmir Javid Iqbal Mattoo, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, President of the All Minority Employees Association Kashmir Sanjay Koul, senior police and civil administration officials, members of the Teerathraj Sidh Lakshmi Peeth Trust, and a large number of devotees.
