Tawi Aarti Marks Cultural Renaissance in Jammu: LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu, Apr 13: In a powerful call to embrace heritage and community pride, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that the beginning of the Tawi Aarti at the Tawi Riverfront marks the dawn of a new cultural and spiritual era for Jammu, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restore the sacred river and elevate Jammu as a model Smart City.
Participating in the grand Tawi Aarti and Baisakhi Mela, the Lieutenant Governor described the ceremonial worship as a deeply spiritual and symbolic revival of Jammu’s ancient values.
“The ceremonial worship ‘Tawi Aarti’ expressing gratitude and reverence on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi is truly a divine spectacle,” he said.
Calling the Tawi River the “soul of Jammu,” LG Sinha said it represents the living consciousness of the region and is an inseparable part of the city’s spiritual and cultural journey.
“Tawi river is connected to the soul of Jammu and its spiritual journey. This river is the living form of our consciousness and thoughts,” he said.
“With the beginning of Aarti at Tawi Riverfront, efforts are being made to awaken our ancient culture.”
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the Aarti is more than a religious ceremony—it is a movement to reclaim heritage and reconnect with the values of the past.
“Tawi Aarti is the medium to express our ancient values and ideals on the banks of this sacred river. Today’s grand Aarti has started a new era,” he remarked.
Appealing to the public and administration alike, LG Sinha underlined the need for collective responsibility in preserving and rejuvenating the Tawi River.
“Administration and people need to commit to restore the sacred Tawi river. Concerted efforts are required to reduce pollution and promote responsible practices to make the riverfront a unique destination,” he said. Encouraging residents to take pride in their city, LG Sinha remarked:
“The prerequisite for making a city beautiful is that the citizens should have unwavering pride and love for their city.”
He further highlighted the remarkable transformation brought about by the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) in recent years. From the Heritage Trail near Raghunath Bazaar to the Complete Street Development in Gandhi Nagar, the LG said these efforts are turning Jammu into a vibrant, accessible, and people-friendly urban centre.
The LG also spoke about the expansion of green spaces, development of public art, and modernization of public transport in Jammu.
“Over five hectares of green spaces have been developed, and 100 electric AC buses equipped with CCTV and live tracking are now running. Our city is becoming cleaner, safer, and more efficient,” he said.
Reinforcing the citizen-centric vision of smart development, LG Sinha stated:
“Smart City is not just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about improving daily life, creating opportunities, and building a city we are all proud to live in.”
He praised the role of engineers, planners, and the people of Jammu for their contribution in reshaping the city.
“Your support, patience, and faith in this mission have made all this possible. The government will continue to stand firmly behind such development efforts,” he assured.
The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and Er. Gulam Ali Khatana, Minister Satish Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, Municipal Commissioner and JSCL CEO Devansh Yadav, and Chairman of Shri Raghunathji Corridor Vikas Council Rajesh Gupta among other dignitaries.
Prominent religious heads, civil society representatives, administrative officials, and citizens from across Jammu participated in the Tawi Aarti, which concluded with calls for unity, environmental consciousness, and cultural resurgence.