Jammu, January 30:
On the solemn occasion of Martyrs’ Day, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary (Punyatithi), describing the Father of the Nation as an eternal beacon of hope for a world currently facing unprecedented turbulence.
Speaking at a commemorative event organized by the Gandhi Global Family, J&K, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Gandhi’s philosophy is not merely a part of history but a practical manual for solving contemporary global crises.
“Non-Violence is Supreme Courage”
Addressing a large gathering of youth, veterans, and prominent citizens, LG Sinha challenged the misconception that non-violence is a sign of weakness.
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Actionable Wisdom: He stated that through Satyagraha and sacrifice, Gandhi demonstrated that non-violence requires “supreme courage” and provides a moral compass for a united society.
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Dialogue Over Vengeance: The LG highlighted that Bapu championed compassion over rage and understanding over confrontation—values that are essential to bridging the divides in global society today.
The Transformational Impact in J&K
The Lieutenant Governor noted a significant shift in the social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir over the last six years, credited to the grand celebrations of Gandhi Jayanti.
“This transformation is clearly visible in the massive public participation in national integration programs like the ‘Tiranga Yatra’, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’, and ‘Vande Mataram’.” — LG Manoj Sinha
He urged citizens to take a collective pledge for “Ujjawal Jammu Kashmir” and “Ujjawal Bharat,” emphasizing that a resilient society is built on safeguarding human dignity, justice, and the welfare of the marginalized.
Honoring the Bravehearts
In a poignant segment of the event, the Lieutenant Governor honored:
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Next of Kin (NoKs) of Martyrs: Family members of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
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Victims of Conflict: Families of Late Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa and civilians who lost their lives due to unprovoked firing by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
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Peace Ambassadors: School students were awarded the ‘Shanti Doot Puraskar’ for promoting Gandhian values, while representatives from the Civil Administration, J&K Police, and Security Forces received the ‘Rashtriya Sewa Puraskar’.
The ceremony began with a two-minute silence to honor the Father of the Nation and all martyrs of the freedom struggle.
Key Attendees
Padma Shri Dr. SP Varma (President, Gandhi Global Family J&K), Shri Yudhvir Sethi & Ms. Devyani Rana (Members of Legislative Assembly), Shri Sanjeev Verma (Chief Electoral Officer, J&K), Maj Gen Kaushik Mukherjee & Maj Gen Ajit M. Yeole (GOC 25 & 26 Inf Divisions) and Shri Bhim Sen Tuti (IGP Jammu).
