Modi’s “Mission Development” in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir has been in the news for wrong reasons from many decades. It included the curse of terrorism, dynastic politics, corruption and subversion. It led to the marginalisation of the people in this region of the nation. Kashmir that was famous for its scenic beauty and tourism witnessed reverse publicity and negative marketing. A bad word of mouth leads to devastation that ultimately has an adverse impact on the multiplier effect. That in turn has negative fallout on the economic health. Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing the revival of the conditions for the economic well-being after the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35 A with the investors seeking an opportunity to contribute in its resurgence. For this the credit must undoubtedly go to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi who has taken personal interest to internalise the challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. The two consecutive terms of his government have enabled that the people are brought in the national mainstream. Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu on Tuesday has boosted the morale of the masses. All sections of the society participated in the rally organised at the Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium. It is the same venue where he addressed the “Lalkaar Rally” in 2013 before being elected for the first time as the Prime Minister of the nation. Today’s rally must be seen as the consolidation of his resolve to empower Jammu and Kashmir and take it out of the morass of desperation. In his well measured address to the masses he outlined the achievements of his government in terms of Jammu and Kashmir. He termed the Article 370 as  the biggest hurdle in the development  of the union territory that had kept women as hostages. As the law discriminated against them in Jammu and Kashmir. Beneficiaries of the various central government schemes from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir also related their stories of development. Modi castigated the dynastic politics in Jammu and Kashmir for keeping youth out of the national mainstream and he emphasised that youth of Jammu and Kashmir will move ahead after decades of neglect. He delved on the issue of social justice and empowerment of marginalised classes under his regime. His focus on tourism was also the highlight of his address in which he underlined the increase in the tourist traffic at Shree Amaranth Ji in Kashmir and Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Ji in Katra, Jammu.as these pilgrimage centres of international repute witnessed the record breaking tourist influx and adding to the economic health of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister shared his vision about India’s position among the comity of nations. He said that he wished to take India to new heights of development and as such he urged the masses to work for making India the third largest economic power in the next five years. As this will improve the country’s ability to spend on poor welfare and infrastructural development. Besides that he dedicated institutions of excellence to the nation that include the AIIMS, IIT and IIM’s. One thing is clear that the Prime Minister has clear agenda on Jammu and Kashmir and that is the comprehensive development and empowerment of the people. He has touched all segments of the society and each sector. The need is to integrate the people and the objectives to create a sustainable development model to usher in the excellence in all fields that includes educational and skill development .Prime Minister too stressed on the Jammu and Kashmir emerging as the hub of quality education and skill development. Now it is the responsibility of the people in Jammu and Kashmir to sustain this model and achieve new horizons of excellence. So that the resurgent Jammu and Kashmir becomes the nationally adoptable model of comprehensive development.