Srinagar, July 12: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Lal Ded Literature Awards and the release function of Dr. Vaidehi Taman’s new book “Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir”. He urged the awardees to share the timeless wisdom of Lal Ded, Kabir, Nund Rishi, Guru Nanak, and Tulsidas with the younger generation.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that our ancestors built India by balancing science with deep spiritual values, emphasising that progress requires both the scientist and the spiritualist.

“India’s greatest strength is its rich spiritual, scientific and cultural identity, passed down through centuries like a torch. I appealed to the youth to not let that flame die. Now is the time to use our rich heritage to inspire millions of new minds. Now is the time to innovate and give the youth of Jammu Kashmir a clear purpose for building self- reliant UT.

Nation-building is a shared duty for every citizen. Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation’s journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that India values both outward progress and inward spiritual growth. He said, traveling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari shows that our core traditions are still alive and this shared spiritual heritage guides our society and connects every Indian.

“I want writers, thinkers and artists to preserve and share this spiritual tradition. I am not suggesting we live in the past, but rather that we respect the truth, goodness, and grace of our heritage. We can stay open to the world while remaining deeply rooted—just like a tree with strong roots that survives the wind and grows.

I invite the society to do two important things: First, find a piece of your heritage that you lost in the busyness of life—whether it is a language, a song, a recipe, a story, or a tradition. Reclaim it, and inspire the next generation to do the same. Second, remember that our greatest strength is our cultural identity, passed down for centuries like a burning torch. I appeal to the youth: do not let that flame die. Now is the time to use our heritage to kindle millions of new flames,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He commended the work of writers, educators and artists and stated that those honored today have enriched our nation through their extraordinary work.

“They are guides for society, proving that true excellence is measured by the positive impact we leave on future generations. Whether through writing, teaching, art, or public service, they shape our shared future. In this rapidly changing world, we need writers and educators more than ever. They create ideas, preserve knowledge, and guide the youth. Literature makes us compassionate, and education gives us knowledge. Together, they create responsible citizens who can lead the nation forward,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor further said that young generation stands at the confluence of tradition and modernity. He noted that youth have technology in their hands, but their minds seek new purpose.

“It is the duty of our writers to connect youth to their cultural roots and to inspire them to think beyond boundaries with a purpose, with a new goal. It is the responsibility of our teachers to provide not only skills but also values, confidence and the courage to the youth to face future challenges. If literature and education go hand in hand, the nation’s progress will be not only material but moral and spiritual as well,” he said.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor made five requests to intellectuals, writers, teachers, scientists, and creators. Encourage the youth to think independently and pursue truth, document and share rich culture, which is our greatest strength in a global world, bring ideas out of books and use them to solve real-world problems, share your experience to inspire the next generation to serve the nation and combine different areas of expertise to tackle complex challenges like climate change.

“Nation-building is a shared duty. A strong economy can build infrastructure, but only responsible citizens can protect it. Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation’s journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Responding to the request for a museum dedicated to great personalities like Lal Ded, the Lieutenant Governor assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard.

Tirath Singh Rawat, former Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Member of Parliament and President, Asiatic Society of Mumbai; Prof. Neerja Mattoo, eminent writer; Dr Vaidehi Taman, author, and prominent literary personalities attended the award ceremony.

Padma Shri Dr SP Varma; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and other senior officials were also present.

Srinagar, July 12: CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan accompanied by ADG (North) Sudhir Kumar, and DIG/NZ-II M K Yadav on Sunday visited Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam to review the security arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

The visit included a comprehensive assessment of deployment plans, access control measures, surveillance systems, communication networks, medical support, logistics and inter-agency coordination to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, spokesman of the force said.

During the visit, the DG inspected key operational locations, including check posts, communication centres, QRTs, QATs, CCTV Control Room and other critical security installations. He also interacted with deployed personnel, health workers and women personnel, appreciated their dedication and professionalism and emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness, strict adherence to SOPs, continuous vigilance and seamless coordination among all security agencies throughout the Yatra.

A high-level security review meeting was also chaired by the DG Ranjan with senior officers of CISF, CRPF, ITBP, J&K Police and the civil administration to review the overall security architecture and preparedness. Commending the commitment of all personnel, the DG expressed confidence that the security forces will continue to ensure the smooth, safe and incident-free conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

Jammu, Jul 12: The counter intelligence unit in Jammu has arrested three publishers in connection with the ongoing investigation into a controversy surrounding certain books in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

This decision follows coordinated operations in both Jammu and Delhi.

The arrests are part of a broader investigation into the publication and distribution of books deemed to contain “highly inappropriate content.” Investigators are scrutinising the publishers’ roles in printing and distributing this material, officials stated.

On July 4, the counter intelligence unit registered an FIR under Sections 49 (abetment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity, disharmony) and 353 ( publishing, or circulating false statements, rumours, or reports) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This action was taken after two books found in government libraries were reported to glorify separatist leaders.

The books in question are titled ‘Personalities and Legends of J-K’, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, and published by Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service. The second book, ‘Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir’, is authored by Sushant Giri and published by the Delhi-based Anurag Prakashan.

The three publishers arrested include Inderpaul from Oberoi Book Service and Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora from the Noida-based Dominant Publishers.

Previously, both Oberoi Book Service and Dominant Publishers had been blacklisted by the government. Counter-intelligence teams conducted raids on their premises on July 6.

Investigations are ongoing, and officials anticipate further arrests in the coming days, officials noted.

According to officials, 123 copies of one book were distributed to the Jammu, Ramban, and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other book were sent to Jammu and Baramulla districts.

On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight officials from the School Education Department, dismissed a contractual staff member, and ordered an inquiry into the two controversial books that contained “highly inappropriate content.”

The action followed objections raised by the BJP, Congress, and other political groups, who claimed that the books allegedly “glorified” separatism.

In an order, the School Education Department said the two books were withdrawn on July 3.

Anantnag, Jul 12: A labourer assisting Amarnath pilgrims was killed after being hit by a shooting stone near Chandanwari on the Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave shrine on Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Shabir Ahmad Shah, 24, a resident of Cheerward in Mattan, Anantnag. He was assisting pilgrims at Chandanwari when a boulder, dislodged from a hillside, struck him, leaving him critically injured.

He was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of doctors.

Officials said the body was shifted to Pahalgam Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to his family.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated proceedings.

Chandanwari, the last motorable point on the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave shrine, is considered vulnerable to shooting stones and landslides, particularly during wet weather. Authorities have been maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and undertaking safety measures along the Yatra route in view of the annual pilgrimage.