Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said people in Jammu and Kashmir are "reaping peace dividend". In an interview with Newsweek, PM Modi claimed that over 21 million tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir in the last year. The Prime Minister stated that the incidents of violence and instability "are now a thing of the past". Defending the abrogation of Article 370, he claimed that the terror incidents in the region have declined lately.
"There has been a significant decline in terror incidents. Organized bandh/hartals [protests], stone pelting, which once disrupted normal life, are now a thing of the past," the Prime Minister said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre repealed the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The step was followed by dividing the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Encouraging to visit the region, PM Modi said, "I urge you to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on [the] ground (in Jammu and Kashmir)."
Referring to his visit to the region last month, where he unveiled projects worth 6,400 crores, PM suggested, "Do not go by what I or others tell you. For the first time, people have a new hope in their lives".
Saying that the process of development, good governance, and empowerment of the people is to be seen to be believed, PM encouraged individuals not to consider what is being told to them, instead visiting the region and deciding themselves.
READ | Modi In Kashmir: PM Unveils Projects Worth Rs 6,400 Crores In Srinagar
Youth Looking For New Avenues In J&K, 370 Abrogation Fruitful For Region: PM Modi
During the interview, the Prime Minister stated that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are looking for various new career options. Taking an example, he said they are excited about sports and many are anticipating a good career in the field.
"Not only this, the youth are also excited about sports events being held here. Sports is being seen as a career path for many youth there," PM Modi said.
PM Modi further said that "a new dawn" has emerged for the Kahmiri women, who now enjoy the same rights as their male counterparts. Women in Kashmir can now inherit properties or transfer to their children, irrespective of their marital status or residency.
After the revocation of Article 370, the article in the Indian constitution which granted a special status to the region, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed being host of many global events, PM Modi said.
"Post the revocation of Article 370, the region has become a welcoming destination for global events, hosting significant gatherings like the Formula 4 racing event, Miss World, and G20 meetings," the PM said.
He further said that the Digital economy, startups, innovation, and smart solutions are taking wings in the region.