“Literature is the Soul of a Nation, Writers are Engineers of Human Consciousness”: LG Manoj Sinha

Inaugurates Literature Festival at SKICC; event celebrates cultural legacy and global literary dialogue

Diplomat Correspondent

Srinagar:DD, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Kashmir Literature Festival on Saturday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), calling writers the “engineers of human consciousness” and stressing literature’s role in shaping national identity.

In his address to a gathering of writers, poets, scholars, students, and thinkers from across India and abroad, LG Sinha said literature awakens the collective mind and guides societies toward wisdom and harmony. He compared the work of writers to that of engineers, saying both build essential structures engineers for progress, writers for thought.

Referring to ancient Indian texts, he noted that Indian civilization has always revered scholarship. “A scholar gets respect in the country and all over the world,” he said, citing Vedic verses that celebrate learning and friendship with scholars.

Sinha drew parallels between his background in engineering and the work of writers, emphasizing how both contribute to social development one through innovation, the other through intellectual and emotional inspiration.

He likened writers to gardeners who carefully select words like flowers to shape the emotional and intellectual landscape of a nation. He stressed the importance of empathy, imagination, and moral clarity in literature for nation-building.

The LG also shared his personal literary influences, citing British author Mabel Collins’ Light on the Path as a source of inspiration, particularly its message of selfless work and humility. He also narrated a parable involving the phrase “This too shall pass” to highlight the enduring power of words and emotional balance.

Held at SKICC’s main auditorium overlooking Dal Lake, the two-day festival brings together prominent literary and cultural figures. The event features poetry readings, book launches, and discussions on topics like “Kashmir: The Cradle of Civilization” and “Literature as a Force for Unity.”

The LG lauded the organizers, stating that the festival reaffirms Kashmir’s identity as a land of culture and creativity. “Literature reflects the heartbeat of a nation,” he said. (KNC)