Sheetal Devi’s Arjuna Award matter of pride for J&K: Adv Bhatnagar

Srinagar, Jan 26: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Friday unfurled the National Flag to mark 75th Republic Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium here.
Addressing the huge gathering, Advisor Bhatnagar extended his heart warming greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as members of Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Central and UT level police forces for their contribution in maintaining the security and integrity of our nation
In his address, Advisor Bhatnagar said this year our country is celebrating the day under the theme “India – Mother of Democracy’’ and ‘’Viksit Bharat’’. He remarked that in 1950 the Constitution of India came into effect, the constitution crafted under the visionary leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, not only guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms but also enshrined the values of justice, equality, and fraternity.
Speaking on the ongoing development across Jammu and Kashmir, Advisor Bhatnagar said that Jammu an Kashmir is witnessing massive development from the last four, five years. From health sector to physical infrastructure and from seamless citizen centric governance through digital means to improved service delivery to public, every sector has taken a flight of development.
He also added that our own Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi won Silver & gold respectively in individual category and won mixed team gold in Archery in Para Asian Games 2023 held at Hunagzhou China. He also remarked that it is proud moment for J&K that Sheetal Devi was conferred with Arjuna Award by Hon’ble President of India, extending his best wishes to the daughter of soil.
He remarked that Robust Public Health infrastructure is essential for progress of any developing nation, adding that J&K is witnessing a massive push in the establishment of world class healthcare facilities. He added that two AIIMS, two State Cancer Institutes and other advanced health care facilities are being established here.
The Advisor also reflected on other achievements like establishment of Five New Medical Colleges at Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, Baramulla and Anantnag which are functional from own building. He also added that work on new GMC Udhampur and GMC Handwara has started and first batch of MBBS classes started in both the colleges with 100 student each started from current year enhancing the MBBS seats to 1300. He also highlighted that around 3000 health and wellness centre are operationalised in J&K UT so far.
Highlighting about the achievements under Jal Jeevan Mission, Advisor Bhatnagar said that JAL JEEVAN MISSION, a flagship program launched by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, is progressing smoothly across Jammu and Kashmir and J&K has targeted to provide FHTCs by covering all its 18.70 lakh rural households with tap water connections capable of supplying water in adequate quantity
He remarked that with the saturation of 14.11 lakh out of 18.70 lakh rural households with Tap Water Connections, Jammu & Kashmir crosses 75% coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission and enters into ‘High Achievers’ category at National level.
Speaking on the thriving Tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Advisor Bhatnagar said that Tourism industry is one of most flourishing sector in the UT of J&K. This Industry is playing a pivotal role in the Social and Economic development and transformation of all the regions of J&K as significant population is engaged in the Tourism Industry directly or indirectly, he said.
Tourism Sector in J&K has done exceptionally well and witnessed unprecedented growth in the year 2022, as more than 1.88 crore tourist visits have been recorded in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, the Advisor said.