Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday attended the 9th Maati Samman Samaroh in Mumbai, a festival celebrating the art, culture, food and tourism of Purvanchal. On the occasion, he also felicitated distinguished personalities from Purvanchal.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the historical, cultural and spiritual bonds between Purvanchal and Maharashtra run very deep. Referring to Lord Ram’s exile period and his visit to Panchvati, as well as worship at Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Trimbakeshwar Temple, he said these traditions strengthened the spiritual relationship between both regions.
The Lieutenant Governor said Purvanchal is not merely a region on the map but a consciousness and a living energy that has offered humanity a fresh perspective.
“Purvanchal is an idea. To me, Purvanchal is both a celebration of spirituality and an expression of devotion. Purvanchal brings the fragrance of art and the exuberance of culture. It is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati, and the restraint of ascetic, selfless sages,” he said.
Highlighting the contribution of historical figures, Manoj Sinha said the role of Ahilyabai Holkar, Raghunath Rao and Malhar Rao Holkar was extraordinary in preserving India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
He said when Purvanchal was struggling to reclaim its spiritual and cultural identity after invasions, Ahilyabai Holkar played a historic role in restoring temples and ghats. He noted that several prominent sites, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ahilyabai Ghat, came into existence through her patronage.
The Lieutenant Governor said saints and reformers from Maharashtra and Purvanchal, including Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Samarth Ramdas, Tulsidas, Kabir and Ravidas awakened social consciousness and showed society a new direction.
He said Purvanchal, which carries a legacy from Lord Rama to Gautama Buddha, created pathways to truth and spirituality. Referring to the religious and literary heritage of the region, he said several Jain Tirthankaras were born in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while places such as Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Sarnath, Varanasi and Kushinagar continue to guide humanity.
The Lieutenant Governor said many Upanishads originated from the soil of Purvanchal and literary works such as the Ramcharitmanas, Kabir’s writings and the teachings of Ravidas emerged from the region. He also referred to contributions of literary and cultural icons including Munshi Premchand, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan, Girija Devi and Birju Maharaj.
He further remembered freedom fighters and national leaders including Mangal Pandey, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rani Lakshmibai, Chittu Pandey, Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shiv Prasad Gupta for their role in shaping modern India.
Calling Purvanchal “humanity’s story,” Manoj Sinha said millions of indentured labourers from the region carried Indian culture to countries like Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana.
He also said that migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have made immense contributions to Maharashtra’s economy. Referring to economic growth, he said Maharashtra contributes 15.7 percent to India’s GDP, while Uttar Pradesh contributes 9.2 percent and ranks second in the country.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the younger generation must remain connected to their roots and traditions.
“No tree grows tall by abandoning its roots. It rises because its roots reach deep into the earth. The deeper the roots, the bolder the branches that stretch toward the sky,” he said.
He added that India was shaped by generations who lived by values, sacrificed for society and nurtured culture, and said the future strength of the nation would depend on how deeply people honour their roots and heritage.
