Baramulla, Feb 10: Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and I&B, Anurag Singh Thakur on Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir is entering a new era of peace and progress post abrogation of Article 370.
Thakur, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, credited the change from violence to sports to the BJP government.
The Union Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved remarkable gains in sports in just three years. Every district now has an indoor stadium, and every village now has a playground.
“Football, wushu, and other sports are now practised in places where stone pelting used to occur. This is how the new Jammu and Kashmir appears , ” Thakur said.
He added that young people in the region are increasingly speaking out, participating in sports, and advocating for Kashmir through multiple platforms.
Thakur stated that Jammu and Kashmir’s hidden talent is now emerging and making India and Jammu and Kashmir proud.
“Top cricketers are coming from Jammu and Kashmir, youth are taking part in winter games and wherever you see flood lights in Srinagar, understand that the youth of Kashmir are taking part in night sports,” he added.
He said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has made it possible to change the Kashmir situation in just 3 years, which earlier could not be done in 75 years.
“It is really a proud movement for all of us that Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the Khelo India Games for the third time”, he added.
Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha echoed Thakur’s sentiments, saying that sports is a medium that can change everything and will not only change the behavior of athletes, but the entire scenario of the world.
The 3rd edition of Khelo India National Winter Games began at Gulmarg with the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the participating players.
In a message, PM Modi paid heartiest congratulations to all the players and sports lovers participating in ‘Snow and Ice’ based sports in the scenic snowy plains of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi shared his happiness to know about the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organizing the 3rd edition of ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ at Gulmarg.
A message from PM Modi reads, “In such a situation, Khelo India campaign is an important effort towards providing an excellent platform to our young sporting talents, especially our rural and small town players.”
In this episode, ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ has not only given a boost to sports and tourism here, but these events are also proving to be important in strengthening the feeling of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
“I am sure that the sports persons participating in the ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ with their hard work, spirit and dedication will open up limitless possibilities for themselves and make the country proud,” the message while quoting PM Modi further reads.
PM Modi wished all the players, coaches, organizers and sports lovers participating in this event.
