Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said border villages are no longer symbols of conflict but have emerged as “symbols of connection.”
Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, CM Omar, said his government is working to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a hub of innovation and knowledge-based industries, while ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
Hailing the graduating students as the “spring of J&K in full bloom,” the Chief Minister underlined key challenges facing the region, including climate change, agricultural transformation and youth mental health.
“We are meeting at a pivotal moment,” CM Omar said, referring to the recently presented 2026–27 budget. Describing it as a “fiscal compass,” he said the budget reflects the government’s intent to build a modern, progressive and economically vibrant Jammu and Kashmir.
“For decades, we were defined by tourism alone or agriculture alone. The J&K of 2026 is evolving into a centre of innovation and participatory governance,” he said, acknowledging that the region has faced economic setbacks following the trauma of 2025.
“Our resilience has defined us,” Omar added. The Chief Minister said his government’s vision rests on three pillars—meritocracy, sustainability and digital sovereignty.
On tourism, Omar said the government is moving beyond traditional destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam by promoting border tourism. “Villages like Keran, Gurez and Teetwal, once synonymous with conflict, are now symbols of connection,” he said.
He added that the government, in collaboration with the Union Government, is developing nine new tourist destinations to ensure the benefits of tourism reach the last mile.
Stressing the need for balance, Omar said climate concerns remain central to policy planning. “Our glaciers are receding and our winters are changing. We must protect what we promote, which is why we are investing in sustainable infrastructure,” he said.
Calling the KU convocation a day of succession,’ the Chief Minister told the graduating students that they were succeeding the generations who kept the flame of knowledge alive through difficult times and were now the torch-bearers of the future.
He urged the students to embark on the journey of self-realisation even as their formal education concluded.
The Chief Minister further asked students to acknowledge the sacrifices of their parents and expressed gratitude to faculty members for their contribution in shaping the lives of students.
Highlighting a key milestone, the Chief Minister said that nearly 60 percent of the degrees and medals at this year’s convocation were earned by women.
Terming it a powerful instrument against poverty and instability, he said J&K had moved from ‘Women’s Welfare to Women-led Development.’
He said under the UMEED scheme, 7 lakh women had been organised into 80,000 Self-Help Groups, leading to the rise of “Lakhpati Didi’s” as financial anchors in their communities.
He added that interest-free soft loans were being provided for women-led startups in manufacturing and IT sectors. He encouraged women graduates to aspire for leadership roles in civil services, biotechnology and be part of global platforms.
Turning to agriculture, he described it as the cultural soul of the people but stressed the need for transformation through a High-Density Revolution.
The Chief Minister said that the technology and quality saplings were being provided to enable fruit exports to international markets.
He urged Science and IT graduates to develop solutions such as real-time pest detection apps and blockchain-based traceability systems to authenticate products like Pampore saffron in global markets.
Articulating a ‘Saffron & Silicon’ vision, Omar said J&K was being positioned as a data-friendly zone and an ideal destination for Green Data Centers, with a focus on creating job providers rather than job seekers.
The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of mental health, stating that society had endured immense pressure and trauma.
CM Omar said that the government was expanding district-level counselling through Mission Youth and urged Psychology and Social Work graduates to help de-stigmatise conversations around mental well-being.
