Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Jun 20: In his first appearance in Srinagar after taking the reins of the country for the third straight time, Prime Minister Narendera Modi Thursday said that the day is not far when people of J&K will elect their own government and soon the UT will shape its future as a State again.
Addressing the gathering of youth at a function titled: Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K, at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of famous Dal Lake here, the Prime Minister, said that day is not far when people of J&K will elect their own government. Today’s visit was the first by Modi after becoming India’s PM for the third straight term. He was welcomed in a Kashmiri traditional style of recitation of wanwun (songs) and showering of flower petals. He was given traditional Kashmiri Kani Shawl and a paper machie souvenir.
“The process and preparations to hold Assembly polls in J&K are already on. The UT will soon shape its future as a UT again,” PM Modi said. His statement was responded to by the young gathering with a huge round of applause.
He said that since early morning, he was quite enthusiastic about visiting Kashmir even though he has an old connection with the Valley and its people. “Today, it was about J&K’s development initiatives and successful Lok Sabha polls that saw record participation of people after almost 35-40 years. I wish I could visit every place of Kashmir to thank people for their huge participation in LS Polls,” the PM said. “I wanted to thank the people of Kashmir for reposing great faith in democracy.” It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had directed the government at the Centre to hold Assembly polls by September this year and to restore statehood to J&K as well.
Taking a jibe at the INDIA. bloc including Congress, the PM said that it was unfortunate that the opposition didn’t even utter a word of praise for the people of J & K for their record participation in LS polls.
The PM said that so far 40,000 people have been appointed in government services and today, he distributed 2000 more job letters to the youth. “Today, I inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 1500 Crore and further Rs 1800 Cr worth Agriculture and allied sectors related projects,” he said.
The PM said that he spent time while interacting with the young start-ups at SKICC and he was excited to listen to the vision and mission of youngsters, who have quit studies mid-way to come up with great innovative ideas. “I interacted with start-ups who have a vast range of ideas and talent. They are moving ahead with the ideas of Ayurveda start-ups, skill development, home stays, food units etc,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that Kashmir is progressing at a great speed as there are expressways, highways and rail connectivity connecting Kashmir with the Kanyakumari soon. “We have the world’s largest rail bridge over river Chenab,” he said.
Modi said that J&K’s new generation is moving ahead with great ideas and initiatives. “In the trial for the country’s drone Didi’s, J&K women were there as well. In the Khelo India games festival held in Kashmir in February, there were 800 athletes from the rest of the country too. There are 70 start ups from the Agriculture sector alone who want to showcase Agricultural capacity at the global level,” the PM said. Meanwhile, Modi will participate in the International Yoga Day in the lawns of SKICC tomorrow (June 21) where hundreds of Yoga lovers and sportsmen will participate in the event. “I believe the main function of IYD in Srinagar will also attract tourists to Kashmir,” the PM said.
