Emphasising the government’s commitment to the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the community’s dignified homecoming remains a shared resolve and an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir’s journey towards peace and prosperity.
Addressing the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave in Srinagar, attended by prominent members of the community from India and abroad, the Lieutenant Governor said the event celebrated the community’s resilience, achievements and enduring spirit while laying the foundation for its return to the Valley.
Describing the homecoming of Kashmiri Pandits as the “truest victory”, Sinha said the presence of business leaders, technology entrepreneurs, corporate executives and cultural icons at the conclave reflected growing confidence in the peace, stability and development of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor said the Kashmiri Pandit community’s journey had been marked by genocide, exile and immense suffering, but instead of allowing adversity to define them, its members transformed pain into strength and emerged as leaders in various fields across the globe.
He urged distinguished members of the community to contribute to Jammu and Kashmir’s future by creating institutions and enterprises that would preserve their rich heritage while generating opportunities for future generations. Their participation, he said, was vital in sectors such as industry, education, arts and spirituality.
Recalling the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s, Sinha said families were forced to leave their homes and live in exile within their own country. However, despite immense hardship, the community rebuilt itself through innovation, entrepreneurship, scholarship and public service.
He noted that the community’s success story had earned global recognition and stood as a testament to its determination, courage and resilience. According to him, the conclave signalled the beginning of efforts to restore the ancient glory of the Kashmiri Pandit community through cultural revival, economic empowerment and community restoration.
The Lieutenant Governor said the return of Kashmiri Pandits reflected the emergence of a “new Jammu and Kashmir” after 2019, adding that the region had transformed from a place associated with pain and displacement into a centre of reconstruction and opportunity.
He also expressed confidence that the Kashmiri Pandit community would make a significant contribution to the vision of a developed India and play an important role in the country’s future growth and progress.
The conclave featured several sessions during which eminent speakers and prominent members of the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora shared their experiences, achievements and perspectives on the community’s future.
Among those present were Adviser to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, President of the Kashmiri Overseas Association, Uphaar Kotru, International Coordinator of the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, Utpal Kaul, President of the Kashmiri Pandit Association Mumbai, Ashwani Bhat, President of the All Minority Employees Association Kashmir, Sanjay Koul, social activist Autar Krishan Trakroo, President of Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch, Dileep Mattoo, and President of Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj, R.K. Bhat.