Jammu 20 Feb 2024:Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu, launched an ambitious development agenda on Tuesday, unveiling a series of mega projects aimed at propelling the region into a new era of growth and progress. In a spirited address to a massive gathering at the Maulana Azad Stadium, PM Modi took a strong stance against the decades-long influence of dynastic politics in the region, emphasizing the need for a break from self-serving political agendas.Highlighting the historical impact of dynastic politics in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi remarked, “Jammu and Kashmir had to bear the brunt of dynastic politics for decades. They are only concerned about their families, not about your interests. Your families and youths of the region have suffered due to this mostly. I am happy that Jammu and Kashmir is getting freedom from this dynastic politics.”Underscoring the significance of the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019, PM Modi labeled it as the biggest impediment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the region is now moving towards comprehensive development, urging the people to support the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”I have full faith in you, and we will make ‘Viksit Jammu and Kashmir.’ Your dreams of 70 years will be fulfilled by Modi in the coming years,” he declared. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the positive transformation in the region, stating, “Earlier, only disappointing news of bombs, kidnappings, and separation used to come from Jammu and Kashmir, but now Jammu and Kashmir is developing and moving forward.”The visit holds particular significance as it marks PM Modi’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. It is also the first visit following the Supreme Court’s December ruling, validating the constitutional validity of the abrogation and directing the restoration of statehood, with Assembly elections scheduled by September 2024.Amid tight security, PM Modi was received by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and other prominent BJP leaders at the Jammu technical airport. The Maulana Azad Stadium witnessed a large turnout of people from across Jammu and Kashmir for the event.Prior to his address, PM Modi inaugurated multiple development projects totaling over Rs 32,000 crore, spanning education, railway, aviation, and road sectors. Additionally, he launched and laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 13,500 crore across the country, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and central universities.As part of the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu’ program, PM Modi distributed appointment letters to approximately 1,500 newly recruited government employees of Jammu and Kashmir, further engaging with beneficiaries of various schemes. The railway projects inaugurated include the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan railway line and the electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section, marking significant strides in the region’s connectivity and infrastructure development.
Kashmir’s Development to Surpass Switzerland’s Allure: PM Modi
