SRINAGAR, OCT 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s changing development landscape, asserting that the Union Territory was increasingly gaining recognition for its startup ecosystem, entrepreneurial aspirations and expanding opportunities in tourism, technology, education and cultural activities.
“Gone are the days of shutdowns and stone-pelting. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is making headlines for its thriving startups,” Sinha said while interacting with participants of Yuva Sangam Phase-VII from educational institutions across Maharashtra, led by IIT Bombay, at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.
The Lieutenant Governor urged young people to become ambassadors of national unity, innovation and social progress, emphasising that their knowledge, technical skills and creativity should be directed towards solving real-world problems and contributing to nation-building.
Highlighting the importance of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, Sinha said educational and cultural exchanges help strengthen bonds between states and Union Territories by enabling students to understand different traditions, societies and development experiences. He encouraged participants from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir to build lasting relationships and remain connected beyond the programme.
Emphasising the role of collaboration in scientific and technological advancement, he called for stronger partnerships among educational institutions, researchers, industry representatives and experienced mentors to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions.
The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for responsible artificial intelligence, cautioning that technological breakthroughs can bring both opportunities and disruptions. He said human oversight was essential to ensure that AI-driven progress remained aligned with ethical principles, democratic values and public welfare.
Referring to emerging challenges such as climate change and misinformation, Sinha encouraged students to use technology responsibly while safeguarding India’s cultural heritage and social values.
He also highlighted opportunities in tourism, agriculture, handicrafts, entrepreneurship and education, urging the visiting students to share their experiences of Jammu and Kashmir with their families and communities.
The interaction was attended by Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Govind Jaiswal, representatives of IIT Bombay, and faculty members and students of NIT Srinagar.
