JAMMU, Feb 20: Prime Minister Modi Tuesday said that Article 370 was the “biggest wall” (hindrance) in way of development of Jammu and Kashmir, while the dynastic politics of some parties here in J&K “ruined the future” of thousands of youth and deprived people of their due share and development benefits.
“The government whose priority is the welfare of just one family cannot think of the welfare of the common people. I am happy to see Jammu and Kashmir is getting free from dynastic rule,” he said, while addressing a rally after launching multiple projects worth over Rs 32,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir and projects worth Rs 13,500 crore for other parts of the country,
“A developed India means a developed Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
In his 35-minute address here at jam packed MAM Stadium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone and momentum for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.He reiterated the changes that Jammu and Kashmir has gone through since the abrogation of Article 370. “From bombs, kidnappings and unrest, we’re now talking of growth and development,” he said. “Every part of Jammu and Kashmir sees a new era of development, ensuring that people are not deprived of their rights, as they were 10 years ago.”
“Article 370 was the biggest wall in way development of J&K,” PM Modi said, while adding, “this wall has been removed by the BJP Government and now gates have been opened for development of J&K.”
He also touched certain political issues concerning the Union Territory (UT) of J&K right from dynastic politics to abrogation of Article 370 and ensuring rights to the various sections of the society like West Pak Refugees (WPR), Women, Paharis, valmikis, safaikaramcharis and other deprived sections.
“J&K is very close to my heart but since decades it was neglected on development front and also remained the victim of dynastic politics,”the PM said.
The PM Modi reiterated, “the biggest wall hampering development in J&K i.e Article 370 has now been removed by the BJP government”.
“J&K is now moving fast on the path of development,” Modi said, while adding, that youth of J&K are now getting opportunities to fulfil their dreams and don’t have to go outside to pursue their education and higher studies.
“There were days when schools were burnt in J&K but now they are being decorated,” Modi said, adding that the BJP-led government has pledged to make “Viksit (developed) J&K”.
He reiterated, “We have taken a pledge for viksit J&K and will do that,” adding, “J&K will soon become Viksit and Modi will fulfill the dreams of the people of J&K pending since 70 years”.
Coming down heavily on dynastic politics in J&K, like he did in 2014 in the ‘Lalkar Rally’ during election campaign here at MAM Stadium prior to becoming PM, Modi said that parties with dynastic politics never thought about the welfare of the people of J&K.
“The dynastic parties are responsible for ruining the future of lakhs of youth of J&K and deprived the people of their due share in development and also deprived the people of welfare schemes,” Modi said.
Such people (dynastic parties), he added, “promoted only their families in all these years and never cared for the common masses and ruined the future of lakhs of youth of J&K”.
Earlier, PM Modi dedicated to the nation and also laid foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 32,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure among others.
The Prime Minister said that Jammu Kashmir is moving forward with a pledge of becoming Viksit, leaving behind the days of despair and separatism. He said today’s projects worth Rs 32,000 crore will give a boost to education, skill, jobs, health, industry and connectivity.
He congratulated the youth of the nation for IIM, IIT and appointment letters.
“Those thinking about the welfare of their own families will never spare a thought for the common citizens”, PM Modi exclaimed. He expressed delight that the dynastic politics in the Union Territory is coming to an end now.
The Prime Minister recalled giving the guarantee in 2013 at the same venue about creating IIT and IIM in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, it is being fulfilled today. That is why people say “Modi’s guarantee means guarantee of fulfilment of the guarantee”, he added.
Listing the educational infrastructure projects of today’s event, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the advancement of education and skill development sectors on such a scale was a distant reality ten years ago.
On the improvement of health facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister informed that number of medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 12 today from 4 in 2014, more than 1300 MBBS seats as opposed to 500 in 2014, and more than 650 PG medical seats as opposed to none in 2014.
He also informed about the establishment of 45 nursing and paramedic colleges in the last 4 years. Two AIIMS are coming up in Jammu and Kashmir out of which Jammu AIIMS was inaugurated by the Prime Minister today. PM Modi said that in the last 10 years, 15 new AIIMS have been sanctioned in the country.
“Youth of Jammu and Kashmir are blowing the begul of development and moving forward to create their future”, the Prime Minister remarked, noting the positive change in the atmosphere in the Union Territory.
He lamented the neglect shown by the previous governments towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the defence personnel.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the current government fulfilled the long pending demand for ‘One Rank One Pension’ giving benefits to ex-servicemen including those from the region.
The Prime Minister said that the Constitutional promise of social justice finally reached refugee families, Balmiki Community and Safai Karamcharis.
Balmiki Community attained SC status in what the Prime Minister termed as fulfillment of years-old demand. Paddari, Pahari, Gadda Brahmans and Kolis have been included in the Scheduled Tribe category.
Pointing out the reservation for ST in the Legislative Assembly and OBC reservation in Panchayats, and urban local bodies, the Prime Minister said, “Mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas is the foundation of the development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that women have benefitted the most due to the development work taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and mentioned pucca houses under the PM Awas Yojna being registered under the women, construction of toilets under Har Ghar Jal scheme and distribution of Ayushman Cards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon the NaMo Drone Didi scheme aimed at empowering women as drone pilots, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering technological advancement and gender inclusivity. Under this initiative, women across the nation will receive training to operate drones, with thousands of self-help groups slated to receive drones worth lakhs of rupees to aid in farming and gardening activities. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative impact of these drones in facilitating tasks such as spraying fertilizers and pesticides, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and generating additional income for beneficiaries.
Highlighting global interest in Jammu and Kashmir’s development, PM Modi referenced his recent visit to Gulf countries, where enthusiasm for investment in the Union Territory was palpable. He underscored the region’s natural beauty and tourist appeal, citing a record influx of visitors last year, including pilgrims to Amarnath ji and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The Prime Minister expressed confidence in further tourism growth, driven by ongoing infrastructure development efforts.
Concluding his address, PM Modi emphasized India’s ascent as a global economic powerhouse, pledging to elevate the nation to the ranks of the top five economies worldwide within the next five years. He articulated the transformative potential of this economic growth, affirming its capacity to significantly enhance welfare schemes and infrastructure development, thereby benefiting every family in Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi connects with Jammu by his Dogri address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his outreach to the people of Jammu by commencing his address in Dogri, expressing a connection spanning over four decades with the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Dogras are very ‘milansar’ (friendly) and their language is also very ‘mithi’ (sweet),” the Prime Minister Modi said while starting his address at MAM Stadium, Jammu.
“Mithi ae Dogrein de boli the Khand Mithe lok Dogre,” PM Modi said, while reaching out to the people of Jammu at the start of his 35 minute address.
PM Modi also emphasized his profound relationship with the Gujjar community of Jammu and Kashmir, dating back over 40 years.
“My connection with Jammu and Kashmir is more than 40 years old as I have done a lot of programmes and tours here as an activist. The massive gathering and enthusiasm despite the rain and cold conditions with everyone listening with rapt attention show the love of the people,” Modi said.
“During my tenure with the organization, I frequented J&K for over four decades,” Modi reminisced, “I spent considerable time living among the Gujjar families of J&K.”
He said the programme dedicated to Viksit Bharat was being telecast live in 285 blocks in Jammu and Kashmir and various other places in the country where lakhs of people were watching.
“Such a big programme and that too in Jammu and Kashmir, where nature challenges us every moment. The people of Jammu and Kashmir really deserve to be congratulated for the programme being organised there with so much pomp and show,” the prime minister added.
“Modi’s guarantee means fulfilment of that guarantee,” Modi said, adding that ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ is the foundation of the developed Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing contentment over the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi remarked, “Now, I am pleased that the people of J&K have received justice.”
The MAM Stadium witnessed an overwhelming turnout, surpassing its capacity as the BJP arranged 70,000 chairs, all occupied by eager attendees.
