Manoj Sinha Advocates for Indian Cultural Diplomacy at Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha championed the expansion of India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy during a major summit, position the nation as a vital global connector. Speaking in Srinagar, he emphasized utilizing ancestral wisdom alongside modern technology to educate the youth.

Addressed Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called for strengthening India’s soft power and promotion of cultural diplomacy, saying the country can be the bridge the world needs.

The LG made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue at the SKICC here.

Sinha said that our goal is to revive our great inheritances of knowledge and spirituality, strengthen India’s civilisational traditions, and shape a future-oriented education that connects our youth to both the past and modern tech.

Good governance promotes cultural dialogue and together they shape the moral, cultural, and human character of a society, and formulate inclusive policies, he said.

“Together, the scholars of Jammu Kashmir and Nalanda shaped one of the world’s oldest living civilisations. This heritage is our guiding light. The Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue is our opportunity to carry that light forward with wisdom, courage, and a new vision for Viksit Bharat,” he said.

Sinha called for strengthening India’s soft power and promotion of cultural diplomacy.

“Centuries ago, India’s knowledge unified the globe. Today, we can be the bridge the world needs. The world is watching. Let us lead with confidence and compassion,” the LG said.

Asserting that youth have inherited a rich legacy of languages, beliefs, artistic traditions, philosophical schools, and varied ways of life, the Lieutenant Governor said this diversity is our greatest strength.

“From Bihar to Jammu Kashmir, from the temples of Tamil Nadu to the monasteries of Ladakh, from the ghats of Kashi to the valleys of Kashmir, each region preserves its distinct cultural identity and rhythm of life. Our shared aim should be to weave these diversities into a harmonious unity that enriches the nation’s collective consciousness,” he added.

Sinha observed that Indian civilisation has always been defined by its centres of knowledge. Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, and many others were hubs of global intellectual exchange, attracting travellers from China, Korea, Java, Persia, and West Asia.

“Nalanda is a living intellectual cosmos of its time. It is a seat of critical thinking and curiosity where thousands of scholars in the past engaged deeply with logic, grammar, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, religion, and the arts.

“Likewise, Jammu Kashmir was the unique Sharda Peeth of learning, drawing people from afar for instruction across disciplines from mathematics to music,” he said.

The young generation needs to understand India’s knowledge traditions, whose roots strengthened in Bihar region during Emperor Ashoka’s era around the third century BCE, he said.

“European scholars once overlooked this legacy but I am happy to note that the host city of this event, Srinagar, was also established by Emperor Ashoka. The Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue reminds us that the moment has come to renew this tradition as a modern, relevant intellectual project.

“Just as scholars in ancient times travelled from Nalanda to Jammu Kashmir carrying manuscripts, philosophies, and scientific ideas, we must revive open exchange and deep engagement of ideas,” the LG said.

He said that ancient towns are living learning centres and cities such as Nalanda, Srinagar, Jammu, Purmandal, Varanasi, Hampi, Sanchi, Madurai, Puri, and Thanjavur carry centuries of experience and knowledge.

“We must strengthen the role of these towns. That requires infrastructure development, heritage conservation, and platforms like the Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue for cultural exchange. We should continuously promote festivals, exhibitions, and discussions that bring together these towns and artists, scholars and citizens from across the world,” Sinha added.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Culture, J-K, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), National School of Drama and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University.

Historical Context

The intellectual ties between Jammu Kashmir and Bihar trace back to antiquity. Sharda Peeth in Jammu Kashmir served as an elite seat of higher learning, much like Nalanda University in Bihar. Historically, scholars frequently journeyed between these regions, exchanging critical manuscripts on logic, mathematics, and philosophy.

Furthermore, the historical foundational footprint of Emperor Ashoka around the third century BCE links both regions, as he influenced Bihar’s academic growth and traditionally established the city of Srinagar.

FAQs

What is the Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue?

The Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue is a cultural and academic platform designed to revive India’s ancient knowledge heritages, foster cultural diplomacy, and promote open intellectual exchange across different historical towns in India.

Where did the Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue take place?

The event was hosted at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir.

Which organizations coordinated the dialogue?

The dialogue was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Culture of Jammu Kashmir, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), the National School of Drama, and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University.

Why did Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasize ancient learning centers?

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted centers like Nalanda and Sharda Peeth to demonstrate how India’s historical academic excellence attracts global thinkers, serving as a template for modern education and soft power.