REASI, Sep 24: Internationally acclaimed theatre director and Padma Shri awardee Balwant Thakur, a son of the soil, was honoured by the General Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust, Reasi, for his outstanding contribution to theatre and culture and for bringing Reasi to the international limelight through his innovative creative work.
The honour was conferred by Maheshwar Singh, President, General Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust, Reasi, during a programme organised to mark the 131st birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. The event was jointly organised by the General Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust and Yuva Rajput Sabha, Reasi, at the Reasi Auditorium.
The programme witnessed the participation of a large gathering of youth, students, cultural activists and prominent citizens from the district. The occasion provided a platform to celebrate the region’s cultural heritage while encouraging the younger generation to remain connected with its history and traditions.
Addressing the gathering, Balwant Thakur called upon the people, particularly the youth, to rediscover, reinterpret and proudly showcase the history and cultural heritage of Reasi. He said that history should not be viewed merely as a collection of dates and events, but as a source of inspiration, courage and identity.
“Our history is not merely a collection of dates and events. It is a source of inspiration, courage and identity. We must discover the stories of our heroes and present them in ways that inspire the younger generation,” he said.
Thakur urged young people to take pride in the personalities who shaped the history of Reasi and the wider region. He said the stories of these personalities could serve as a strong foundation for building a confident, creative and culturally conscious generation.
Encouraging the youth to adopt a proactive approach towards life, Thakur called upon them to become creators rather than merely consumers of opportunities.
“Do not wait for someone to change your life. Develop the confidence, skills and imagination to create your own opportunities. Your ideas, creativity and determination can take you far beyond the limitations of geography,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of education and personality development, Thakur said education should go beyond degrees and employment. He stressed the need for young people to develop communication skills, confidence, creativity, leadership qualities and independent thinking so that they could become capable and responsible contributors to society.
Offering his support to the youth of Reasi, Thakur said he would extend all possible help and professional guidance within his capacity to those interested in theatre, creative arts, communication and other cultural and creative fields. He particularly encouraged initiatives aimed at building confidence, developing personality and helping young people identify and nurture their individual talents.
“Every young person has a unique potential. What is needed is the right guidance, exposure and confidence to bring that potential out,” he said.
Thakur further highlighted the potential of Reasi to develop a distinctive identity on the global cultural map through its history, heroes, traditions and creative talent.
“The city of Reasi needs to be glorified globally through the narratives of its heroes, who deserve their rightful place in history. Let every young person become an ambassador of this land,” he said.
Concluding his address, Thakur urged the youth to dream beyond limitations, learn beyond textbooks, create beyond circumstances and remain deeply connected with their roots.
“Let us build a generation that knows its history, respects its culture, believes in itself and has the courage to create the future,” he said.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included former DDC Chairman Saraf Singh, Sudershan Singh, Rahul Jamwal (Bunty), President, Yuva Rajput Sabha, Daljeet Singh, Sartaj Singh and former BDC Chairman Ashok Thakur.