Sports can inspire positive change, help build drug-free J&K: LG Sinha

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that the story of Jammu and Kashmir was no longer confined to the challenges of the past but also reflected the efforts of the present and the possibilities of the future.

Sinha felicitated the winners of the "Pedal Through Paradise" cycling event and lauded the enthusiasm, determination and aspirations displayed by the participants.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the event reflected the optimism, self-confidence and vibrant spirit of a new Jammu and Kashmir, driven by the energy and talent of its youth.

He noted that Jammu and Kashmirwas emerging as a land of opportunities, where young people were excelling in sports, education, innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasised that the true progress of any region depended on providing its youth with opportunities, confidence in their abilities and a strong sense of unity.

"I have always emphasised that the true upliftment of any region occurs when its youth have faith in their eyes, opportunities in their hands, and a feeling of unity in their hearts. I am confident that events such as 'Pedal Through Paradise' will inspire the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to contribute significantly to the development of the nation through their talent, hard work and determination," he said.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the Jammu and Kashmir Police for extending their role beyond security and law enforcement through meaningful community outreach initiatives. He said programmes such as "Pedal Through Paradise" demonstrated a commitment to strengthening bonds of trust with citizens by combining discipline with inspiration and duty with social responsibility.

"Initiatives such as 'Pedal Through Paradise' are testimony to the fact that the Jammu and Kashmir Police have combined security with compassion, discipline with inspiration, and duty with social commitment so that bonds of the heart may be forged with the people of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said the achievements of the winners symbolised the changing face of Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the potential of its youth to contribute to inclusive growth and national development.

He observed that the Civic Action Programmes of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had created new opportunities for youth engagement, skill development and sporting excellence, fostering confidence and encouraging constructive participation in society.

Sinha said initiatives such as "Pedal Through Paradise" and "Jashn-e-Dal" went beyond sporting competitions, inspiring discipline, perseverance and resilience among participants. He called upon citizens to embrace positive ideas, knowledge and innovation for collective advancement.

Emphasising that the youth were the nation's greatest asset, he encouraged the younger generation to participate actively in sports and community programmes. He also reiterated the importance of building a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that society must support and rehabilitate those affected by substance abuse with empathy and care.

The Lieutenant Governor urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure peace, progress and a healthy, prosperous and secure Jammu and Kashmir. He congratulated all participants for carrying forward the spirit of positive change through sports.

"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.

"All sections of society must participate in the fight against drugs. We must take three resolutions today: first, we will always work towards peace; second, we will strive for progress; and third, we will work towards building a healthy, prosperous, secure and bright Jammu and Kashmir," the Lieutenant Governor said.