LG Urges Writers to Rewrite Distorted History at Chinar Book Festival

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called upon writers and intellectuals to take up the responsibility of rewriting history to correct the distortions of the past. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Chinar Book Festival organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) of India in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to restore pride in India’s civilisational legacy through literature, education, and cultural revival.

“Writers must think about rewriting the history to correct the facts that were distorted in the past,” said LG Sinha, underlining that younger generations must be made aware of India’s historical contributions in literature, science, mathematics, and spirituality. “Ancient India was the engine of world civilisation. We gave the world the gifts of science, mathematics, and medicine. Our cultural and spiritual heritage is unparalleled,” he asserted.

Describing India’s ancient knowledge system as immense and globally influential, the LG emphasised the urgency to liberate Indian society from the colonial mindset. “The new generation must be told that our heritage has led the world. The scientific knowledge we have given to humanity is incomparable,” he said, calling for its integration into mainstream education.

The LG urged the National Book Trust to publish and translate ancient texts such as the Nilamat Purana, Rajatarangini, and Kathasaritsagara into multiple Indian languages. He further suggested that these regional editions be prominently featured at international literary forums to showcase Jammu & Kashmir’s unique literary legacy.

Sinha also appealed to the NBT to actively promote literature from Kashmiri, Pahari, Gojri, Dogri, Urdu, and Punjabi languages, and to ensure their wider reach through translations. “Chinar Book Festival will connect the new generation to our precious literary heritage and inspire them to preserve and promote traditional wisdom,” he added.

Highlighting the ongoing cultural, scientific and economic renaissance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the LG said that the contributions of writers and thinkers are crucial for strengthening India’s spiritual and emotional unity.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the opening of the nine-day festival, which features book exhibitions, literary discussions, and interactions with prominent authors and scholars from across India.

The festival also witnessed the inauguration of Saradaksarani – the first national exhibition of Sharada alphabets – and the release of the Kashmiri translation of “Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh – Through the Ages”. Winners of the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya Amrit Kaal Story Writing Competition were felicitated on the occasion.

Among those present were Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust; Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR); Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; NBT Director Yuvraj Malik; and a large gathering of writers, students, officials, and book lovers.