SRINAGAR, OCT 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday felicitated the winners of the ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ cycling event in Srinagar, describing youth as the nation’s greatest strength and emphasising the need to channel their energy towards sports, innovation, development and nation-building. He also called for a united fight against drug abuse, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir’s future rests on peace, progress, public participation and youth empowerment.
Addressing the felicitation ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor said ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ reflected the confidence, aspirations and determination of a new Jammu and Kashmir, where young people are increasingly getting opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and contribute to society.
He said the region’s journey must be viewed not merely through the challenges of the past but also through the efforts being made in the present and the possibilities opening up for the future.
“The story of Jammu and Kashmir is no longer confined to the challenges of the past but is also the story of the efforts of the present and the possibilities of the future,” Sinha said.
Emphasising the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young people, he said the progress of any region depended significantly on the capabilities, confidence and active participation of its youth. He urged all sections of society to work collectively towards building a healthy, secure, prosperous and drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor commended Jammu and Kashmir Police for extending their role beyond conventional security and law enforcement by undertaking initiatives that encourage community participation, promote sports and engage young people in constructive activities.
He observed that programmes such as ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ demonstrate how the police can combine security responsibilities with compassion, discipline and social commitment, thereby strengthening public trust and creating positive avenues for youth engagement.
According to Sinha, participation in sports helps young people develop perseverance, resilience, discipline, confidence and a spirit of healthy competition. Such initiatives, he said, also encourage young people to remain connected with constructive activities and contribute positively to society.
He highlighted the role of Civic Action Programmes in providing platforms for youth participation, skill development and sporting excellence across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor said collective efforts by government departments, security agencies, educational institutions and community organisations were essential to ensure that young people receive the guidance, encouragement and opportunities necessary to realise their potential.
Stressing that youth empowerment must remain a collective priority, Sinha said young people should be provided with platforms where their abilities are recognised, their ambitions encouraged and their energy directed towards productive pursuits.
“It is the collective responsibility of all of us to provide the youth with platforms where their energy receives a positive direction, their talent receives encouragement, and their dreams receive the opportunity to be realised,” he said.
He noted that young people from Jammu and Kashmir were demonstrating their capabilities in diverse fields, including sports, education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Expressing confidence in the potential of the younger generation, the Lieutenant Governor said sustained encouragement and access to opportunities could enable youth to emerge as key contributors to inclusive development and the overall progress of the Union Territory.
He said sporting events should not be viewed merely as competitions but also as platforms for promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening social bonds and fostering a sense of responsibility among participants.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that combating drug abuse required sustained and coordinated efforts involving families, educational institutions, community organisations, government agencies and every responsible citizen.
He called upon people to actively support initiatives aimed at preventing substance abuse, creating awareness among young people and ensuring that those affected by addiction receive appropriate care, compassion and rehabilitation.
Sinha urged the youth to stay away from drugs and utilise their time and energy in sports, education, innovation and community-building activities.
He said the promotion of sports and other constructive engagements could play an important role in encouraging discipline, healthy habits and positive values among the younger generation.
Emphasising the wider social responsibility associated with the anti-drug campaign, he said the fight against substance abuse could not be left to government agencies alone and required the participation of society as a whole.
Highlighting the significance of public engagement initiatives, Sinha referred to programmes such as ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ and ‘Jashn-e-Dal’, saying such events promote perseverance, resilience, discipline and collective participation.
He encouraged citizens, particularly young people, to embrace knowledge, innovation and constructive ideas for the advancement of society.
The Lieutenant Governor said providing the younger generation with suitable platforms, encouragement and opportunities would help them transform their potential into meaningful contributions towards social development and national progress.
He emphasised that initiatives combining sports, community participation and public awareness could help strengthen the foundations of a peaceful, healthy and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
Calling for a renewed collective commitment to the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor urged people from all sections of society to remain united in their pursuit of peace, development and public welfare.
“All sections of society must participate in the fight against drugs. We must take three resolves today — first, we will always move forward for peace; we will move forward for progress; and we will move forward to build a healthy, prosperous, secure and bright Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Sinha congratulated the winners and all participants of ‘Pedal Through Paradise’, appreciating their enthusiasm, determination and contribution to promoting sports and healthy living.
He expressed confidence that such initiatives would inspire more young people to participate in sporting activities, adopt positive lifestyles and contribute to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat; Special Director General Coordination, Police Headquarters, S.J.M. Gillani; Commandant General, Home Guards, Abdul Ghani Mir; ADGP Armed Nitish Kumar; ADG BSF Ashok Yadav; Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Alok Kumar; senior officers of the police and civil administration; representatives of cycling associations; prominent citizens and a large number of young participants.
The event underscored the importance of sports-led youth engagement, community outreach and coordinated efforts to promote peace, social responsibility and a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.
