Srinagar, Aug 14 (KNS): The wounds of the 1947 Partition are yet to heal completely even after eight decades, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday, asserting that remembering those who suffered and lost their lives during the division of the country is a "duty towards humanity."
Addressing a commemorative programme at Tagore Hall here on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, LG Sinha as per KNS said the occasion was not merely about recalling a painful chapter of history but also about introspection and national resolve to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.
"Even after eight decades of Partition, this wound has not healed completely. Even today, in the collective consciousness of India, there is a pain that has not been washed away by generations," Sinha said, paying homage to those who endured immense suffering in 1947.
The LG said history contains few examples of suffering on the scale witnessed during Partition, when millions were uprooted from their homes and communities were torn apart.
"We will not let their pain be buried in the dust of history. Remembering them will be a duty towards humanity," he said, adding that the memories of those who suffered must be preserved with honesty, truthfulness and compassion.
Sinha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for observing August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day and called upon people to treat it as an occasion for introspection and national resolve.
Educate youth about human cost of Partition: LG
Stressing the need to ensure that the younger generation understands the human cost of Partition, Sinha said the division of the country was not merely a change in geographical boundaries but brought immense pain to families and destroyed communities.
"It is important for every section of society to know that during Partition, trains coming from Pakistan arrived filled with human corpses. Children, women, men and daughters were killed mercilessly," he said.
"Those who had lost everything regained their lives through their courage, hard work and self-confidence," he said, adding that refugee families enriched the cultural fabric of the regions where they settled with their languages, traditions and values.
Partition had profound impact on J&K: Sinha
Referring specifically to Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said Partition had a profound impact on the region, dividing families and displacing communities from their ancestral homes.
"Partition divided families, and many communities were displaced from their own homes," he said, paying tribute to those who rebuilt their lives in Jammu and Kashmir despite the hardships.
Addressing the youth of the Union Territory, the LG urged them not to view Partition merely as a historical event but as a legacy carrying important lessons for present and future generations.
"Partition is not only an event in your history, but also the memory of those lakhs of families whose legacy is in your hands," he said.
"You have to learn from their experiences. You have to ensure that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir never repeat those mistakes in the future," Sinha said, calling upon them to strengthen social harmony, coexistence and national unity.
"You have to build a strong bridge of faith where walls have never been built," he said.
On Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, Sinha called for a renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence, social harmony, ethical values and national unity.
"Today, on the anniversary of Partition, we must once again take an oath that we will dedicate our talents towards peaceful coexistence, social harmony and national unity," he said.
The LG also appreciated the J&K Cultural Department for organising programmes aimed at ensuring that the memories and lessons of Partition reach different sections of society. (KNS)