‘J&K witnessing new dawn of development’
Peace possible due to sacrifices of martyrs
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that Jammu and Kashmir is moving ahead with a new vision and new thought where there is no place for militancy and its supporters.
He said that the Government is working on a new educational policy to incorporate in the school curriculum contributions made by the heroes of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army who have made supreme sacrifices fighting militants and enemy.
Addressing a function organsied by the Global Strategic Police Foundation, Pune to felicitate the next of kins of slain policemen and soldiers, at SKICC here, Sinha said that he has no words to pay tributes to the policemen and soldiers who laid down their lives either fighting militancy or protecting borders.
He said that it is due to their great sacrifices that people are breathing in free air here today. “I salute to all the brave men from police and the Army who sacrificed their lives in line of duty,” he said.
The LG said that while J&K is moving ahead with a new vision and new thought, there is no place for militancy and its supporters won’t be forgiven.
Present on the occasion were parents, wives and children of slain policemen and soldiers. He said J&K Government is working on a policy to include great contributions of slain heroes from police and the Army in the J&K school curriculum.
“This we are doing so that our children come to know about the great sacrifices of policemen and soldiers who laid their lives for a peaceful and better J&K. Our children should know that it is because of the sacrifices of these heroes, they are reaping peace dividends in J&K,” the LG said.
He said J&K has received a huge budget for the current year and not a single penny will be misused. “Anyone who is found misusing the budget money will face serious action,” he said.
The Lt Governor urged the people, especially the young generation to discharge their duties with full responsibility to create a peaceful society and pay a befitting tribute to the sacrifices of our martyrs.
“Let us all tread the path of peace & fulfil our martyrs’ dream of a peaceful, prosperous and developed Jammu & Kashmir”, he said the Lt Governor
The Lt Governor observed that the sacrifice, patience and courage of woman like Mehjabeen Akhtar, wife of Ashok Chakra recipient Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani cannot be expressed in words.
The stories of valour of brave hearts like Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani and heroes of Kargil and Siachen, Chuni Lal, Abdul Hameed, Sageer Ahmad Pathan, Mohammad Yusuf, is our real heritage which will continue to inspire the generations to come, he added.
The Lt Governor also remembered Major Sushil Aima honoured with Kirti Chakra, who was martyred in the Poonch sector while combating Pakistani terrorists at the age of 32 years.
Speaking on the present developmental scenario of J&K, Sinha observed that since 5th August 2019, J&K has been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation. For the last seven decades, the common people, farmers, youth of J&K have been kept away from prosperity and development.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn of development, he observed.
The rights of weaker sections are being safeguarded. For the first time since independence, forest dwellers are being given their rights, besides the rights of youth, children, women and senior citizens are being ensured, he added.
Highlighting the efforts of the Government to create a just and equitable society, Sinha maintained that the benefits of reservation are being extended to the disadvantaged sections.
For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a sweeper’s son or daughter can see the dream of pursuing any professional course in the UT and subsequently rise to the highest echelons of power. Now, even a farmer irrespective of land holding can do high density plantation, he added.
Many generations spent their lives strangling their dreams despite receiving higher education. Decades later, there is a moment when the youth are dreaming of better tomorrow, he maintained.
Speaking on the initiatives taken by the Government for providing better livelihood opportunities to the youth, the Lt Governor said that more than 18,000 young boys and girls from far flung villages have been provided with the financial support under Back to Village programme to fulfil their dreams and today they have become entrepreneurs.
On women empowerment, the Lt Governor observed that the abilities of women and the merit of their great leadership have a rich history. He saluted the women of the Women’s Self-Defense Corps, who during the tribal invasion in 1947, by creating the world’s first woman guerrilla force, gave a message that Jammu and Kashmir was much ahead in the direction of women empowerment.
The Lt Governor said that the minimum requirement of a civil society was not fulfilled in seven decades. Corruption had devastated Jammu and Kashmir. Even today, 973 villages remain unconnected with the road.
We have made the working of the government completely transparent and accountable. It is being ensured that the work is being done on ground and the money is utilized for the welfare of the people without discrimination, he added.
Now, the development process in J&K has been accelerated. In the coming two and half years, the population living in the villages will be connected with all the basic amenities. The Power sector has witnessed a paradigm shift. Metro projects in Jammu and Srinagar cities will be completed by 2023, he maintained.
Speaking on the growth potential of the UT, the Lt Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir has endless possibilities. We are trying our best to create a prosperous environment for the people with these infinite possibilities, added the Lt Governor.
Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala, in his address, said that Kashmir has remained home to diverse religious and cultural influences which have deeply enriched its pluralistic ethos and violence has no place in any civilized society and peaceful co-existence is the best means to resolve problems.
He also hailed the initiatives taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in the recent past to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, wife of Ashoka Chakra Awardee, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, Mehjabeen Akhtar said that for a soldier, there is nothing greater than his country.
“I am extremely proud of my husband’s martyrdom as he gave his life for this country and my children are also proud of their father. He used to tell me that he wants to die on the battleground while fighting for his nation as for him nothing came above this country,” Mehjbeen said. He has done a lot for this country and his nation is also proud of him, she added.
Earlier, Vice Admiral (Retd) Anup Singh, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Lt. Gen. Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd) also spoke and expressed their views on the occasion.
Family members of martyrs, besides Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Dr Anant Bhagwat, President, GSPFP; Manoj Goyal, Secretary, GSPFP and other prominent citizens attended the felicitation ceremony.
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