Srinagar, Mar 05: With Prime Minister NarendraModi’s scheduled visit to the Kashmir valley on March 7 drawing near, people previously featured in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program are eagerly anticipating the possibility of a special package announcement during his trip.
The sentiments come ahead of the PM’s scheduled trip, where he is expected to address thousands of people in Srinagar. The ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program, held every month’s last Sunday, provided a platform for PM Modi to engage with people across the country.
MaqboolHussain, a Nadru grower from Srinagar, who was previously featured in PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program in 2023, shared his anticipation for the visit. “We are expecting that the PM will announce a good package for shopkeepers and the business community,” said Hussain, who supplies Lotus Stem, or “Nadru,” to India and other parts of the globe.
Another local resident, Tariq Ahmad Patloo, a houseboat owner who converted his boat into a floating ambulance to ferry COVID-19 patients on the Dal Lake, echoed similar sentiments. “Houseboat owners are fully dependent on tourism and generate employment for others too. But unfortunately, we were always neglected by the government,” said Patloo, urging PM Modi to announce a special package for their community.
Riyaz Ahmad, known for his unique work in paper-mache, also expressed hope for a package for the artisan community. “It will generate hope, encouragement among the budding artists and help us to revive our generations-old work,” he said.
PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program has frequently highlighted various aspects of Kashmir, including its products and unique cultural practices. This visit marks PM Modi’s first to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
