||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh June 21,2024 ||

SRINAGAR : In a historic visit to Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared today that Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held soon, and plans to restore its statehood are underway.

A Momentous Arrival…

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Srinagar this evening, marking his first visit to the region since securing a third consecutive term. The people of Kashmir welcomed him with traditional wanwun songs and a showering of flower petals at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). The Prime Minister was presented with a traditional Kashmiri Kani Shawl and a papier-mâché souvenir, symbols of the region’s rich cultural heritage.

A Call for Democratic Empowerment…

Addressing a gathering at SKICC on the theme ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K,’ Modi commended the significant voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections and underscored the importance of electing local representatives. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir participated in Lok Sabha elections in large numbers and broke the record of the past 35 years. You deserve to be felicitated for it… Now time has come that people of Jammu and Kashmir choose their own local representatives. For that, preparations are being made for holding Assembly elections,” Modi announced.

Restoring Statehood…

Prime Minister Modi assured the crowd that the day when Jammu and Kashmir regains its statehood is approaching. He lauded the resilience and faith in democracy shown by the people of the region, reiterating his commitment to fulfilling Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat aur Kashmiriyat” (Humanity, Democracy, and Kashmiriyat).

Development and Job Creation…

Highlighting the development strides in the region, Modi revealed that 40,000 people have been appointed in government services, and today he distributed 2,000 more job letters to the youth. He inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 1,500 crore and announced additional projects worth Rs 1,800 crore in the agriculture and allied sectors.

Acknowledging Global Recognition…

During his address, Modi reflected on his recent visit to Italy, where he noted the global admiration for India’s current government. “People reposing great faith and trust in a Government for the third time creates a global impression and strengthens global relations,” he said.

A Vision for Kashmir’s Future…

Modi shared his enthusiasm for the region’s rapid development, including infrastructure projects like expressways, highways, and rail connectivity. He praised the young entrepreneurs of Kashmir for their innovative ideas and expressed optimism about the region’s potential. “Kashmir is progressing at a great speed… In the trial for the country’s drone Didi’s, J&K women were there as well,” he said.

Peace and Security…

Acknowledging recent terror attacks, Modi affirmed the government’s commitment to peace and development in the region. He assured that the Centre is taking the recent incidents very seriously and will ensure the safety and progress of Jammu and Kashmir. “The enemies of peace and humanity are not happy with the development in Jammu and Kashmir. We will leave no stone unturned to punish the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi asserted.

A New Era of Accountability…

Modi emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in utilizing development funds for J&K. “Today, every penny is being used for your development,” he assured, stressing that previous governments had failed to uphold constitutional principles.

International Yoga Day…

As part of his visit, Modi will lead the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC tomorrow morning. Approximately 8,000 participants will join him for the yoga sessions along the banks of Dal Lake, having undergone three days of training in preparation for the event.

Strengthening Democracy…

In his concluding remarks, Modi celebrated the record-breaking tourism in Kashmir and the successful G20 Summit held in the region. He noted the stability brought by a government elected for three consecutive terms, contrasting it with the instability of the past. “India has now entered a new phase of stable Government leading to strengthening of democracy,” he said.

Srinagar is under unprecedented security as the Prime Minister stays in the town, with top officials closely monitoring and overseeing the arrangements. The road to SKICC and Raj Bhawan is heavily guarded, highlighting the coordinated efforts between security agencies.

Modi’s visit marks a pivotal moment for Jammu and Kashmir, signaling a new era of peace, progress, and democratic empowerment for the region.