Lauds cultural values of J&K as a fine combination of “Kashmiri people, democracy, and humanity,” quoting Atal Behari Vajpayee’s views on J&K as “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat aur Insaniyat’
Srinagar/ Nagpur: During his first ever visit to J&K, after formation of PDP-BJP combine rule, Prime Minister Narendra Deshmukh on Saturday announced a package of Rs 80,000 crore at jampacked Sher-e-Kashmir stadium, which may also termed as Diwali Bonanza for the state.
“Don’t think Rs 80,000-crore package is the limit. This is just the beginning. There won’t be any dearth of money. Not only our treasury, but our heart also beats for you,” PM Modi said to a thunderous applause in Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.
Visiting Srinagar for the first time since the PDP-BJP coalition took power in the state on March 1 this year, Modi said that he wanted to make Kashmir a dream destination for tourists.
“In the past, when people had some money, they wanted to visit Kashmir. I want to bring back those glorious days,” the PM said.
Recalling the words of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee — “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat aur Insaniyat’ (social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people, democracy, and humanity), he said, “I will like to follow these three mantras which are the pillars of development of Kashmir”.
Recalling the words of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee — “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat aur Insaniyat’ (social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people, democracy, and humanity), he said, “I will like to follow these three mantras which are the pillars of development of Kashmir”.
“I don’t need advice or analysis from anyone in this world on Kashmir. The three mantras of Atalji and these will be helpful in moving forward. Kashmiriyat ke bina Hindustan adhura hai. (Without Kashmiriyat, India is incomplete). Sufi tradition has emerged from this land and this tradition has taught us oneness and strength of unity,” he said.
“The dreams of two generations have been lost in last two decades. But I am an optimist and would like to move ahead and covert Jammu and Kashmir into a modern and developed state,” said Modi, who was flanked by chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
The Prime Minister said that the youth of the state needed employment and assured the Mufti Sayeed-led PDP-BJP alliance that the Centre was standing rock solid behind it in its endeavour to restore normalcy in the state.
“We may touch any heights in economy and technology. And no matter how much the life changes, we may even build a castle in the air, but it is only our soul that inspires us to respect the dignity of self and others,” he said.
Modi said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown their faith in democracy (Jamhooriyat).
“There was massive participation in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Today Mufti Sahib is talking about empowering panchayats. This is the democracy that Atalji wanted and dreamt of. I salute you,” he added.
The Prime Minister said India is incomplete without Kashmiriyat which is the “shaan, baan, aan” (pride and glory) of India.
He said he has a development sketch in his mind for Jammu and Kashmir based on the interactions with the leaders of the state including the chief minister and his deputy Nirmal Singh.
“The development process has to be implemented within a set time-frame. We want to help the farmers, the traders and people whose houses were damaged by the floods last year. We want to bring out every family from their problems. Delhi (the Centre) will work shoulder to shoulder with the state government in this regard,” he said.
He also emphasized Kashmir’s role in Indian cricket. “Sachin, Sehwag or Dhoni, whoever hit a six, they did it with a Made-in-Kashmir bat,” Modi said.
