Centenary celebrations of Indian Chamber of Commerce : ICC’s immediate visit to Kashmir after Pahalgam tragedy sent strong message: Dr Jitendra

Srinagar, Aug 25: Union Minister of State (MoS) in Prime Minister’s Officer, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said the coming of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to Kashmir immediately after the Pahalgam tragedy sends out a strong message that the valley remains just as beautiful as before.Speaking to reporters at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here during the centenary celebrations of the ICC, Dr Singh said the chamber, founded 100 years ago in Kolkata – then the British capital Calcutta – carries a rich legacy and now has an opportunity to align with the new economic vistas opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“Congratulations are due to the Indian Chamber of Commerce, which organised its three-day programme here. This chamber is among the oldest in India. Coming here immediately after the Pahalgam tragedy is also a message in itself that this place remains just as beautiful as before,” he said. “Along with that, it sends another message: ever since Prime Minister Modi came to power, many reforms have been introduced in business and trade.”The Union Minister said the private sector is being strongly encouraged, and public-private participation has expanded. “This year, we even opened the nuclear sector to private players; space had already been opened earlier. We believe that for India to move forward at the pace it is, and to rise economically from fourth to third, second, and eventually first place, we need an integrated approach in which both the private and public sectors work together,” he remarked.Dr Jitendra said that many sectors in India had never been fully explored or developed, including the Himalayan region, the nearly 11,500-kilometre coastline, and the space sector. From this perspective, the Kashmir Valley holds special significance as part of the Himalayas, he said.“It was here, in Gulmarg and Bhaderwah, that the Purple Revolution, known across India as the lavender revolution, began. Lavender start-ups and lavender entrepreneurship have opened new opportunities. Thousands of young people are now earning their livelihoods through this, and it has become a viable source of trade and business for them,” he said.Dr Singh said institutions like the ICC play a vital role in facilitating public-private partnerships and breaking the long-standing mindset of dependence on government jobs in the region. “The presence of such institutions here will also inspire young people to connect with India’s start-up movement and the new opportunities that have emerged since Modi ji took office,” he said. The Union MoS expressed confidence that the Jammu & Kashmir administration is considering these developments seriously and will continue to do so. “Overall, the people’s positive response and the presence of the Chamber here are indicators of a gradual return to normalcy, a step in the right direction,” he said.