PM Modi In Kashmir: In his first speech during his inaugural visit to the valley since the abrogation of Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This is the Jammu-Kashmir we all had been waiting for years". PM Modi visited Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium on Thursday, inaugurating development projects and participating in the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir" programme.
Addressing a public gathering, the PM said, "I have been told that 1 lakh people from 285 blocks have joined us virtually. I want to thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is that new J&K for which we have been waiting for decades. It is that new J&K for which Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee sacrificed his life. This new J&K has a bright future and the courage to overcome challenges. Seeing your happy faces, 140 crore people across the country are feeling satisfied".
"The feeling of coming to heaven on earth is beyond words," PM said.
Pitching the "Modi Ki Guarantee" in Kashmir, the PM said, "Whenever I came here after 2014, I have always said that I am making all these efforts, to win your hearts and I am seeing that I have been able to win your hearts. I will keep trying hard. This is Modi's guarantee".
This marks his initial visit to Kashmir since the revocation of Article 370, the constitutional provision granting special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi launched initiatives worth nearly Rs 6,400 crore aimed at boosting the agri-economy in the union territory during the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir" programme. With the Lok Sabha election approaching and opposition parties advocating for Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister's visit holds significant political importance.
READ | Modi In Kashmir: PM Unveils Projects Worth Rs 6,400 Crores In Srinagar
The BJP-led Centre nullified Article 370 on August 5, 2019, dividing the state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Before PM Modi's scheduled visit, authorities implemented stringent security arrangements, deploying drones and commandos within a 2 km radius at Bakshi Stadium, adorned in the national tricolour.
After unveiling several developmental projects, PM Modi said, "I got the opportunity to inaugurate several development projects related to tourism... The power of development, tourism possibilities, empowerment of farmers, and the leadership of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The path to building a developed Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from here. J&K is not just a region, it is the forehead of India. Viksit J&K is the priority of Viksit Bharat".
The visit aimed to address prevailing political issues, with all eyes on the prime minister's statements. PM Modi launched nationwide tourism projects totalling over Rs 1,400 crore under the "Swadesh Darshan" and "PRASHAD" schemes, including an integrated development project for the Hazratbal shrine.
On this PM said, "Today, 6 projects have been dedicated to the country under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Apart from this, the next phase of the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme has also been launched. Under this also, about 30 projects have been started for Jammu and Kashmir and other places in the country".
He initiated the "Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll" and the "Chalo India Global Diaspora" campaign, announcing tourist destinations under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme.
He also announced his next mission, "Wed In India", saying, "People should come to J&K and host their weddings. The world has seen how G20 was organised in J&K. There was a time when people used to say, who will go to J&K for tourism? Today, tourism in J&K is breaking all the records. In 2023, more than 2 crore tourists have come here...Now big celebrities from across the world are also coming to J&K".
PM Modi Targets 'Parivarvadis':
Hitting out at "parivarvadis", and "parivarvad", the Prime Minister said, "J&K has been a huge victim of 'Parivarvad' and corruption. The previous governments here had left no stone unturned to destroy our J&K Bank, by filling the bank with their relatives and nephews, these 'Parivarvadis' have ruined the bank. Due to mismanagement, the bank had incurred so much loss that all of you were in danger of losing thousands of crores of rupees".
Further slamming opposition in the Valley, PM Modi said, "This freedom from restrictions has come after the removal of Article 370. For decades, for political gains, Congress and its allies misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of 370 and misled the country. Did J&K benefit from Article 370 or were only a few political families taking advantage of it?"
"The people of J&K have come to know the truth that they were misled. J&K was kept in chains for the benefit of a few families. Today there is no 370, hence the talent of the youth of J&K is being fully respected and they are getting new opportunities. Today there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here," PM added further.
PM Modi Emphasises The 'Lotus Connection' In Valley:
Saying that the "success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the centre of attraction for the world", PM said, "Lotus are seen everywhere in the lakes here. The logo of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association formed 50 years ago, also has a lotus. Is it a coincidence or a sign of nature that the BJP's symbol is also a lotus and Jammu & Kashmir has a deep connection with the lotus".
PM Modi further said, "I have always treated the people of J&K as my family. The people of my family stay in my heart, and 'Main hoon Modi ka Pariwar' is in the hearts of Kashmiris. I promise that the development works in J&K will not stop at any cost."
"In the next few days, Ramazan is going to begin. I want to extend my best wishes to the people of the country for Ramazan. Tomorrow, we will celebrate Maha Shivratri, I extend my best wishes to the people of the country for Maha Shivratri as well," he added.
According to an official statement issued by his officer before the PM's visit, Modi was scheduled to distribute appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly recruited government employees and interact with central scheme beneficiaries, including women achievers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Under the "Holistic Agriculture Development Programme" (HADP), the prime minister boosted the region's agri-economy, covering horticulture, agriculture, and livestock husbandry. The programme includes skill-development training for around 2.5 lakh farmers, establishing 2,000 farmers' service centres, and creating robust value chains.
The tourism projects align with Modi's vision to enhance the overall tourist and pilgrim experience, covering destinations such as Hazratbal shrine, Northeast Circuit in Meghalaya, Spiritual Circuit in Bihar and Rajasthan, Rural and Tirthankar circuit in Bihar, and various projects in Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.