Maharaja Ranbir Singh bestowed J&K with new vision: Lt Governor

Jammu, Mar 16: Asserting that Maharaja Ranbir Singh did not merely rule Jammu and Kashmir but he bestowed it a new vision, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that nation is indebted to him for his reforms.
Addressing the unveiling ceremony of the bust of Maharaja Ranbir Singh at the Central Sanskrit University, Jammu Kot Bhalwal and renaming of the University’s Jammu Campus as ‘Shri Maharaja Ranbir Singh Campus,’ Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “The nation owes Shri Maharaja Ranbir Singh Ji a profound debt for his reforms, building vibrant culture and forging a robust and thriving Jammu Kashmir.”
“He (Maharaja Ranbir Singh) saw Jammu Kashmir as a living entity-not mere land, but a vibrant structure where culture breathed life and reforms channeled energy. For him, its soul resided not just in mountains and rivers, but in intellectual and spiritual values,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha said that Maharaja Ranbir Singh did not merely rule Jammu Kashmir but he bestowed it a new vision, restructured it, illuminated it with knowledge, adorned it with cultural abundance, and left a legacy for generations which is rich on material, intellectual, and spiritual planes.
“Renaming of Central Sanskrit University’s Jammu Campus proves that the consciousness Shri Maharaja Ranbir Singh Ji ignited continues, 150 years on, to guide Jammu and Kashmir’s society,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He observed that the youth must lead the path of principles, building a safer and prosperous Jammu Kashmir.
“Our Youth now bear the duty to embrace his expansive, humane values and contribute to nation-building. As today’s Jammu Kashmir embodies Shri Maharaja Ranbir Singh Ji’s foresight, this campus must reflect his ideals,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He emphasised on building a society technologically potent yet humanely sensitive.
Sinha called upon the youth to enrich not just India but global intellectual and moral consciousness.
“India, driven by human welfare, remains committed to world peace and shared prosperity. The time has come for India to reclaim its place, guiding a challenge-ridden world. We must steadfastly prepare our youth to forge a formidable India- one that shall knit nations in unbreakable unity, kindling in them the noble pursuit of universal peace and human welfare,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said that ancient India’s journey was never one-sided: one hand held science, the other culture.
“We emphasized personalities blending Brahmagupta’s intellect and Buddha’s wisdom. This campus must nurture such souls,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also assured financial assistance for establishment of Gurukul, Sanskrit Pathshala, or Ved Pathshala in the region.
Dr Karan Singh, former Union Minister; Padma Shri Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri; Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University, Jammu; Dr Kamal Kishor Mishra, Department of Sanskrit University of Calcutta; Prof. R.G. Murali Krishna, Registrar, Central Sanskrit University, Jammu; Prof Satish Kumar Kapoor, Director, HoDs and faculty of the university, senior officials, prominent citizens and students in large number were present. (KNO)