Srinagar, Oct 26;In a momentous event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the two-day National Workshop of the Smart Cities Mission, focusing on ‘Streets & Public Spaces,’ in the picturesque city of Srinagar. This remarkable gathering saw the convergence of Mayors, Municipal Commissioners, Chief Executing Officers, and officers from 100 Smart Cities across India, coming together to exchange knowledge and experiential learning through insightful project visits within the Srinagar Smart City.
Emphasising the pivotal role of vibrant public spaces in urban planning, Lieutenant Governor Sinha stressed that the heart of any city lies in its people. Beyond state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge amenities, the creation of lively public spaces is equally essential in enhancing a city’s aesthetics, ensuring a high quality of life, and bringing about a positive transformation in the lives of its citizens.
“Srinagar Smart City serves as a shining example for other cities in the nation,” said LG Sinha, highlighting the city’s impactful pedestrian plazas and recreational areas alongside its picturesque waterfronts. He further expressed that the exceptional urban design of Srinagar’s streets and public spaces allows one to truly connect with the city’s soul.
Srinagar Smart City has indeed set an inspiring benchmark with visionary initiatives such as ‘Srinagar Square,’ the restoration of ghats to reinvigorate water transport, the rejuvenation of the mesmerizing lakefront, the preservation of the city’s rich heritage, and the beautification of under-utilized spaces. These initiatives have collectively transformed Srinagar into a beacon of innovation for urban development experts.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor Sinha underlined the unwavering commitment to bolster core infrastructure in a well-planned and sustainable manner. The development of Srinagar Smart City has adopted a people-centric approach, encompassing elements of traditional art and culture, heritage preservation, smart facilities, efficient governance, and sustainability, all aimed at ensuring social equity and enhancing the residents’ quality of life.
Moreover, LG Sinha highlighted the need for cities to be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of citizens, competition, and market changes while nurturing core competencies for economic growth.
Women’s empowerment key to J&K’s prosperity: LG
Underlining the pivotal role of women’s empowerment in the growth and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised that the empowerment of women is essential for the empowerment of the region. He conveyed these sentiments while honouring and congratulating women achievers from the Kashmir Division at a felicitation event organised by Chinar Corps.
During the event, LG Sinha commended the women achievers for carving a niche for themselves and inspiring others to dream big and achieve new heights of success in various fields. He also praised the noble initiative of Chinar Corps aimed at empowering ‘Nari Shakti’ and acknowledged their valuable contributions to nation-building.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that women’s empowerment is not just an aspiration but a necessity for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the J & K Administration’s recent focus on women’s empowerment, emphasizing the principles of equality, equal rights, and equal opportunities enshrined in the Constitution.
“I am proud to say that half of our population has made an immense contribution to the prosperity and growth of the Union Territory,” LG Sinha remarked.
He also pointed out several schemes and programs being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all designed to holistically empower women and help them realise their full potential.
“In academics, our daughters are scripting new history and charting a new future with new confidence and a sense of self-esteem,” the Lieutenant Governor noted.
The event featured the felicitation of Women Achievers by the Lieutenant Governor for their extraordinary contributions in diverse fields, including Education, Law, Entrepreneurship, Social Work, Health, Literature, Sports, and Journalism.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, GOC 15 Corps, Maj Gen Mohit Seth, GoC Kilo Force, senior officers from the Army, eminent personalities from diverse fields, and the family members of the women achievers.
