Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday urged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to learn from the painful memories of Partition, reject enmity and communal bitterness, and ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated.
Addressing a gathering at Tagore Hall here during the observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, Sinha said Partition was not merely a chapter of history but a living memory of millions of families, and called upon the youth to “build bridges of trust”.
“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir must ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated. Where walls were once raised, you must build bridges of trust and help build an inclusive Viksit Bharat,” he said.
According to an official statement, the event was marked by collective remembrance and a reaffirmation of national unity. The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to those who endured the suffering of the 1947 Partition, saying their sacrifices continue to inspire generations.
He said the wounds of Partition remain embedded in the collective consciousness of the nation.
“Decades after Partition, their sacrifice reminds us that the wound remains unhealed, lingering as a generational pain in India’s collective soul. On Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, we are not merely recalling the past but giving voice to millions whose voices were silenced,” he said.
Describing remembrance as a “duty towards humanity”, Sinha stressed the need to preserve the memories of those affected with honesty, truthfulness and sensitivity.
“I believe their stories are an indelible chapter of our national consciousness, and their sacrifice will forever remain alive in the soul of Mother India,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor urged people to treat the occasion as a day of introspection and national resolve. He also called upon youth, farmers, workers and women to contribute towards progress, harmony and development.
He said those who rebuilt their lives after Partition through resilience and hard work enriched India’s social fabric and cultural heritage.
“Today’s occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge the pain of the past and strengthen our commitment to peace, harmony and national unity. This day reminds us that only the lessons of history can make the future secure and humane,” he said.
Sinha noted that Partition divided families and displaced communities from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Chhamb. He also paid tribute to those who, he said, faced decades of discrimination due to Article 370 and later received equal rights after its abrogation.
Paying homage to families affected during the tribal invasion that followed Partition, he said their sacrifices form an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir’s collective memory.
“Within months of Partition, enemies of the nation unleashed terror under the cover of tribal invasions. The Indian Army and the people fought bravely. Today, I pay tribute to the patience, hard work and unwavering patriotism of all those families,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said India’s strength lies in its diversity and unity.
“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, India is a confluence of languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs. Despite attempts to weaken this spirit, India has continued to move forward with confidence. We must ensure future generations understand the pain of Partition and work towards preserving peace and harmony,” he said.
Sinha also visited a photo exhibition organised on the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives during Partition. The event also featured a theatrical performance depicting the trauma, displacement and hardships experienced by millions during the upheaval of 1947.
