DD Correspondent
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today addressed the valedictory session of the International Conference on Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, organized by Government Degree College for Women, Anantnag, in collaboration with the District Administration Anantnag.
The Lieutenant Governor described the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra as a living embodiment of India’s spiritual consciousness, cultural heritage, and humane values.
“We must preserve, enrich, and pass on this great tradition to future generations. The sacred Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra stands for social unity and deep inner reflection. A journey of patience, prayer, and connection with the divine, it reminds us that true spirituality is about exploring the light within,” he said.
He noted that many families and communities have served pilgrims for generations and that people from different faiths and backgrounds have contributed significantly to the pilgrimage. Their participation, he said, reflects a shared human consciousness that transcends religion, language, and community.
“At a time when divisions appear to be rising in many parts of the world, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra offers a unique model of coexistence. The pilgrimage conveys that the true purpose of faith is to bring people together. It is a spiritual journey rooted in the shared values of humanity and a vibrant celebration of India’s cultural diversity.
“Devotees from across the country bring their languages and traditions, and as they travel the route, this diversity becomes a medium of mutual respect and warmth. I believe this is India’s real strength. Baba Barfani’s pilgrimage embodies the ideal of ‘unity in diversity.’ The journey teaches that national unity is built on mutual respect and a common purpose,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also highlighted the Yatra’s significant contribution to the local economy, noting that pony operators, shopkeepers, artisans, hoteliers, transport providers, and thousands of families are directly or indirectly linked to the pilgrimage. The Yatra, he said, generates livelihoods while accelerating regional development and infrastructure growth.
“Maintaining a balance between development and nature conservation is our collective responsibility. Sanitation, waste management, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, and environmental protection require collective effort. A zero-waste Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra remains our commitment, supported by initiatives such as 100% waste recycling, organized waste-collection networks, and the ‘Bring Plastic, Take a Bag’ campaign,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that over the past two to three years, both pilgrimage routes have been widened, with ambulances stationed at designated points. The Baltal and Chandanwari tracks have been expanded to 12 feet, illuminated for night travel, and are inspected and repaired daily during the Yatra.
Looking ahead, he said the Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage has the potential to emerge as a major global spiritual tourism destination, introducing visitors to India’s rich traditions of philosophy, yoga, meditation, and spirituality while serving as a platform for cultural diplomacy.
He further noted that several reforms introduced over the past five years have enhanced the pilgrimage experience. Online registration, RFID and GPS-based monitoring, camera surveillance, digital information systems, and modern communication technologies have made the Yatra safer, more accessible, and more transparent while preserving its spiritual essence.
Among those present were Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department and Nodal Officer for the Pahalgam Axis; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; V.K. Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Javid Iqbal Matoo, DIG South Kashmir; Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag; Amod Nagpure Ashok, SSP Anantnag; Dr. Khalida Hassan, Principal, Government Degree College for Women, Anantnag; Prof. Farooq Ahmed Malik, Organising Secretary; along with faculty members, students, civil society representatives, and prominent citizens.
