Jammu: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, said that August 5 and June 6 will always be remembered as historic days in J&K’s journey — one marking complete integration and the other symbolizing a physical and emotional connection from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
He made these remarks while launching the coffee table book “Reimagining Jammu & Kashmir” by renowned photojournalist Ashish Sharma, at an event held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.
“The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 laid the foundation for a new, united, and progressive Jammu and Kashmir, ending decades of isolation and discrimination,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “And on June 6, 2025, the region was physically connected with the rest of the country — from Kashmir to Kanyakumari — symbolizing national integration in its truest sense.”
The Lieutenant Governor commended Ashish Sharma for documenting this transformation through powerful visuals and narratives that reflect the unprecedented progress across sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K has truly regained its identity as the ‘Paradise on Earth’. This coffee table book is not just a collection of photographs — it’s a visual testimony of peace, development, and people-first governance,” Sinha added.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts post-2019, the LG said the government has worked on the core pillars of Peace, Progress, Prosperity, and People First, ensuring that development reaches the last mile. “Our youth are embracing entrepreneurship, nearly one million have benefitted from self-employment initiatives in just four years,” he noted.
He also spoke about the revival of the nightlife in the Kashmir valley, the rejuvenation of lakes and rivers, booming sectors like agriculture and startups, and the inclusive urban transformation of cities with a focus on sustainability and quality living.
Calling out divisive voices, the LG cautioned against attempts to derail peace and progress. “Some are spreading fear and misinformation for political gains. Let them do politics, but not at the cost of national unity and integrity,” he asserted.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including former Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, IGNCA President Ram Bahadur Rai, Member Secretary Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, and Director of Kala Nidhi Prof. Ramesh C. Gaur, along with civil society members and journalists.
The coffee table book Reimagining Jammu & Kashmir is being seen as a visual chronicle of change — from conflict to confidence, from isolation to integration.
