HIGHLIGHTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Launch of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth Rs 5000 crores.
Initiation of tourism projects exceeding Rs 1400 crores, including Hazratbal Shrine development.
Over 2 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023.
Champions ‘Wed in India’ initiative, eyes tourism boost for J&K
Inauguration of AIIMS Jammu, with AIIMS Kashmir construction underway.
Establishment of seven new medical colleges and two cancer hospitals.
Vande Bharat trains operational, enhancing economic activities.
J&K Bank’s business doubled to Rs 2.25 lakh crore; share price surged nearly 12 times.
Direct transfers of ₹3,000 crore under PM KisanSammanNidhi scheme.
Hosting of Khelo India Winter Games with participation from nearly 1000 players.
Fulfillment of demands for voting rights and reservations for marginalized communities.
Connectivity of over 1 lakh people from 285 blocks through video link.
Creation of new opportunities in skill development and sports for youth.
Prime Minister NarendraModi on Thursday said that the dawn of ‘Naya Kashmir’ has arrived after a long wait, echoing the vision for which Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his entire life. This new Jammu and Kashmir holds the courage to overcome challenges and the entire country is seeing smiling faces, and bringing relief to 140 crore countrymen.
Addressing a jam-packed audience at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, attended by thousands from across the Valley, PM Modi expressed pride in witnessing the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, heralding a new era of development and progress.
PM Modi highlighted the significant strides made by Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, emphasising the region’s journey towards prosperity. He criticised political families for misleading the people for decades and exploiting the issue of Article 370 for their own gains.
In his first speech since August 2019, PM Modi dedicated the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth approximately Rs 5000 crores to the nation. He also launched multiple tourism projects worth over Rs 1400 crore, including the ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ project, under the SwadeshDarshan and PRASHAD schemes.
“There was a time when laws applicable to the rest of the country did not extend to Jammu and Kashmir, depriving its people of essential welfare schemes. Today, however, we witness a paradigm shift,” PM Modi stated.
“Pointing out that Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest victim of dynastic politics since independence, he assured the people that the development campaign for Jammu & Kashmir will not stop at any cost and the region will develop more rapidly in the next 5 years” he said.
“After independence, J&K was the biggest victim of dynastic politics. Today, being upset with the development of the country and the development, family members are personally attacking me. These people are saying that Modi has no family but people across the country proudly say, ‘I am Modi’s family!’ Jammu and Kashmir, too, feels the same – ‘I am Modi’s family!’,” PM Modi said.
“Today there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here. The refugees from Pakistan, our Valmiki community brothers and sisters, and sanitation workers getting voting rights, reservation of seats in the assembly for Scheduled Tribes, Paddari tribe, and the inclusion of Pahari ethnic group, Gadda Brahmin and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribes were given voting rights after a gap of 70 years,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi said that he was “elated to be amongst the wonderful people of Srinagar” (“diljeetneaayahun…”). “I will not leave any stone unturned to repay this debt of affection. I am doing all this hard work to win your hearts and I believe that I am on the right path,” he said.
“The immense love and warmth from the people is truly touching. Today, with the presence of lakhs of people, I feel equally happy and grateful for your affection. I assure you that Modi is committed to reciprocating this love. Since 2014, every visit has been with the goal of winning your hearts, and each day, I see progress in the right direction. Your hearts, I have won, and I will continue, it is Modi’s guarantee and all of you know that Modi’s Guarantee means the guarantee of fulfillment of guarantee,” he said.
“Srinagar is taking new tourism initiatives not only for J&K but for the entire country. Therefore, apart from this, people from more than 50 other cities of the country are also connected with us, the country is also connected with Srinagar today.
“Today, six projects have been dedicated to the country under the SwadeshDarshan Scheme. Apart from this, the next phase of SwadeshDarshan Scheme has also been launched. Under this also, about 30 projects have been started for Jammu and Kashmir and other places of the country,” he said.
PM Modi said that three projects have been launched under Prasad Yojana, 14 more projects have also been launched. The development works that were being done in the holy HazratbalDargah for convenience of the people have also been completed. “We have also identified more than 40 such places which will be developed as tourist destinations in the next two years,” he added. Other significant highlight was the inauguration of a Drag Ski lift in Sonmarg.
Established by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, the drag ski lift aims to enhance tourism and winter sports activities in the region.
Prime Minister NarendraModi advocated for ‘Wed in India’ campaign to encourage citizens to opt for domestic destinations for weddings to support local tourism and asked non-resident Indians to participate in the ‘Chalo India’ programme by sending their family members to explore the country.
The prime minister also advised against overseas destination weddings, advocating for ‘Wed in India’ instead, promoting domestic tourism and the beauty of Kashmir .
“Jammu and Kashmir is not just a region but India’s head. A head held high is the symbol of development and honour. That is why a developed Jammu and Kashmir is the priority of a developed India,” he said.
He also asked the countrymen not to go abroad for destination weddings but choose a location within the country.”People should think about ‘Wed in India’. They should not go abroad to spend their money and instead visit Kashmir,” he added.
Talking about the G20 summit in Kashmir, PM Modi said the whole world saw how the G-20 was organised brilliantly here. Sometimes people used to say – Who will go to Jammu and Kashmir for tourism? Today all the records of tourism are being broken here.
“In 2023, more than 2 crore tourists visited here. The AmarnathYatra saw the highest number of pilgrims in the last 10 years. Vaishno Devi is welcoming record-breaking devotees. Foreign tourists have also increased two and a half times. Now, even big stars and celebrities, including foreign guests, don’t miss Kashmir. They come, explore the valleys, shoot videos, and create reels, which go viral,” he said.
PM Modi said J&K is making rapid progress on the development front. “We are proud to announce not one, but two AIIMS facilities – AIIMS Jammu is already inaugurated, and work on AIIMS Kashmir is in full swing”.
“We have established seven new medical colleges and two cancer hospitals. Prestigious educational institutions like IIT and IIM have found a place here. Connecting Jammu and Kashmir, two Vande Bharat trains are operational, and rail services from Srinagar to Sangaldan and Sangaldan to Baramulla have commenced, boosting economic activities. To enhance infrastructure, we are bringing in projects to transform Jammu and Srinagar into smart cities. In the near future, the success story of Jammu and Kashmir will shine globally,” he said.
Regarding the J&K Bank, PM Modi said the bank faced nepotism and corruption in the past, with previous governments jeopardising its stability. Mismanagement, along with inappropriate appointments of relatives, had put the bank at risk, endangering the hard-earned money of the people of Kashmir
“To rescue J&K Bank, our government implemented a series of reforms, providing a crucial Rs 1,000 crore assistance to the bank. Stringent actions were taken against wrongful recruitments, with ongoing investigations by the Anti-corruption Bureau,” he said.
PM Modi said over the past 5 years, transparent hiring processes have enabled thousands of youth in Jammu and Kashmir to secure jobs in banks. Today, J&K Bank has not only regained strength but has also turned a profit, reaching Rs 1700 crore.
“Five years ago, the bank’s business dwindled to Rs 1.25 lakh crore, now soaring to Rs 2.25 lakh crore. Deposits, which had dropped to Rs 80 thousand crores, have almost doubled, crossing Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The NPA, which had surpassed 11 percent, has now reduced to below 5 percent. In the last 5 years, the bank’s share price has surged nearly 12 times, from Rs 12 to around Rs 140,” he added.
“In my Mann Ki Baat program, I often highlight the achievements here, from cleanliness campaigns to the exquisite handicrafts and craftsmanship. Jammu and Kashmir’s deep connection with the lotus, reflected even in the logo of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, is indeed a remarkable coincidence or perhaps a sign of nature’s sign, considering the lotus as the symbol of BJP,” he added.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched the ‘DekhoApnaDesh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’ and announced tourist destinations selected under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme distributed appointment orders to about 1000 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir and will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes including women achievers, lakhpatididis, farmers, entrepreneurs etc.
He also acknowledged the presence of citizens outside the venue, and more than 1 lakh people from 285 blocks connected to the event via video link.
PM Modi also mentioned direct transfers of nearly ₹3,000 crore under the PM KisanSammanNidhi scheme to the accounts of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. To enhance the storage capacity for fruits and vegetables and ensure their prolonged preservation, significant investments have been made to increase storage facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister pointed out that the commencement of the ‘world’s largest warehousing scheme’, will include the construction of numerous warehouses across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the efforts of the government for the development of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir in every field, the Prime Minister said that new opportunities are being created ranging from skill development to sports and mentioned the modern sports facilities being built in every district of Jammu and Kashmir. He gave the example of multi-purpose indoor sports halls built in 17 districts and Jammu & Kashmir hosting many national sports tournaments.
“Now Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as the winter sports capital of the country. Nearly 1000 players have participated in the recently held Khelo India Winter Games,” the Prime Minister added.