Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, attended the inaugural session of the two-day International Conference on *‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya: Symbol of Nationalism and Humanity’*, organised jointly by the Vishwa Hindi Parishad and the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on November 21, marking the 110th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

The conference brought together distinguished scholars, linguists, academicians, administrators, and personalities from India and abroad who shared insights on the life, philosophy and contributions of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

In his address, LG Kavinder Gupta said that promoting Hindi is essential for strengthening national integration and preserving India’s timeless cultural heritage. He stated that Hindi, with its rich literary and cultural legacy, has the capacity to unify India’s diverse communities. The growing aspiration among young Indians to learn and use Hindi, he added, reflects a renewed pride in India’s civilizational ethos.

The LG noted that the government at the Centre continues to draw inspiration from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Ekatma Manav Darshan (Integral Humanism) in its efforts to serve humanity and reinforce the spirit of nationalism. He described Hindi as not merely a language but an emotional, cultural and civilizational bond that strengthens India’s unity. He also praised the Vishwa Hindi Parishad for its efforts to promote Hindi globally and enhance India’s cultural footprint.

Highlighting Ladakh’s linguistic richness—Bhoti, Urdu, Hindi and various local dialects—LG Gupta said the region reflects India’s diverse and vibrant cultural ethos. He reaffirmed the Ladakh Administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance language, culture and education.

The LG lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving unprecedented global recognition to Hindi, noting how his speeches at the United Nations and other international platforms in Hindi have elevated India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy.

Encouraging youth to stay rooted in India’s languages and values while embracing innovation and global opportunities, the LG said that India’s linguistic and cultural heritage—especially Hindi—is a pillar of the nation’s soft power and global leadership.

He congratulated the Vishwa Hindi Parishad for organising the conference and extended his best wishes to scholars, researchers and participants.

The event also witnessed the release of several books and a screening of the documentary ‘Nalanda University: A Glimpse’. The LG also felicitated prominent litterateurs, journalists and writers.

Earlier, during the prelude session, Dr. Maheshchandra Sharma, Dr. Shivshakti Nath Bakshi, Joint Secretary (Economic Affairs) Baldev Purusharth, and Prof. Hemchandra Jain presented scholarly perspectives on nationalism, inclusiveness, cultural renaissance and India’s civilizational narrative.

Ajay Kumar Mishra ‘Teni’, Prof. Sachchidanand Mishra and Padma Shri–Padma Bhushan Acharya Lakshmi Prasad Yarlagadda, President of the Vishwa Hindi Parishad, also addressed the gathering.

Dr. Vipin Kumar, National General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindi Parishad, presented the institutional report, while Conference Convenor Prof. Ramnarayan Patel introduced the thematic framework of the sessions.