Jammu, 23 August (H.S.): The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today addressed the World Wisdom Forum, organised by the IIT Alumni Council in New Delhi, and felicitated achievers from diverse sectors. In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the Council for its efforts in bringing together eminent personalities to deliberate on the theme of Viksit Bharat and India’s collective future.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised the importance of unity in progress and underscored that India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation must be inclusive, rooted in tradition yet forward-looking, and balanced between technological strength and human sensitivity.

“I believe that when a group of people from different sectors has a deep desire to achieve something, the pain and intensity of that yearning can ultimately become the means of achieving it. Just as a seed buried in the soil is restless to germinate, if the energy of a nation becomes intensely eager to achieve its goals, nothing is impossible,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Reflecting on India’s aspirations under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor noted that the seed of Viksit Bharat has already sprouted and historic milestones have been achieved in the past 12 years.

“With international agencies predicting India’s rise as one of the world’s three largest economies well before 2047, the nation must also define the character of its civilisation, spirituality, and cultural framework. The IIT alumni and eminent personalities from various fields must remember that history remembers civilisations for their economies and also for what they did with the resources and prosperity generated by those economies,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor identified five major challenges that eminent personalities, industries, business leaders, engineers must address together to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.

“Transforming India’s vast young population into a skilled workforce equipped with expertise in emerging technologies is important for us and also ensuring sustainable development by balancing progress with environmental responsibility. We also need to strengthen institutions by building transparent, accountable, and efficient institutions responsive to citizens’ needs.

We should focus on ensuring balanced regional development by bridging gaps between advanced cities and underserved regions to create equitable growth. We must create the future rather than purchase it by becoming not just a consumer but a global creator of technologies, innovations, and ideas. We must resolve that we will not merely use artificial intelligence; we will also contribute to the future of artificial intelligence. We must resolve that we will not import innovation; we will export innovation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He also highlighted the transformation in Jammu Kashmir, noting the region’s immense potential in youth power, natural resources, tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, and hydropower. He urged industry leaders to actively invest in the Union Territory, ensuring it becomes a vital contributor to India’s development story.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created confidence and opened new avenues for the youth in Jammu Kashmir. It is the collective responsibility of Industry now to make Jammu Kashmir a subject of constructive action. We must recognise its hydropower potential. Connect its horticulture, tourism and handicrafts with global markets. The intervention of industry leaders in every sector of Jammu Kashmir will be an investment in India’s future,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar