Excelsior Correspondent
BASOHLI, July, 25: Basohli today earned the distinction of becoming first town of North India from where Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Aarogya Gram Yojna was launched by Union Minister of State in PMO with independent Charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh.
With the formal inauguration of Rs 10 cr project by Dr Jitendra Singh which was launched in collaboration with Union Ministry of Science & Technology and CSIR, it will undertake the cultivation of Aromatic, cosmetic and medicinal plants. In the first phase within one year Basohli will become major producer of perfumes and scent products which can be exported to other parts of country thus generating revenue for youth and house wives.
Speaking during the inauguration function, Dr Jitendra Singh said ever since his election from the Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha Constituency, it has been his endeavor that each of six districts should have some thing to claim as unique identity and first thing in the region. Kathua became the first district where inter-state bridge to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 160 crore over Ravi river and a biotechnology park to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 90 crore were inaugurated recently while the Udhampur became the first district in North India where PM’s Digital India programme was launched by him, he added.
He said likewise the Reasi became the first district of the North India where first ever weather forecasting system was installed at Sanji Chat, near holy town of Katra and Doda also became the first district of North India where PM’s Skill Development Programme was launched by him recently.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the project at Basohli will also have the distinction of being joint venture of IIIM Jammu as well as CSIR laboratories of Lucknow, Palampur and Jorhat. Under the scheme the project of such big magnitude has been undertaken in another part of the country i.e North East which also falls under the Ministry of Dr Jitendra Singh.
The Union Minster said that within a year when original products from Basohli will hit the market across the world, the area will also symbolize “Make in Basohli Initiaitve”in line with PM’s “Make in India Mission”. In addition to Basholi art and paintings this project will be one of the distinctions for the region, he added.
Dr Singh also informed that he has taken up with Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu of brining Basohli on rail link which will overcome difficulties faced by commuters and serve as alternative surface transport connectivity.
On the occasion, Dr Singh gifted a school bus to Navodya Vidalaya the venue of today’s function. This gesture was an encouragement from the Union Minister’s side to the students who participated in today’s programme with great enthusiasm but were facing difficulties as the school did not have the bus of its own.
Minister of Health & Medical Education, ARI Trainings, Ch Lal Singh complimented Dr Jitendra Singh for launching the project from Basohli saying that he will fully coordinate with Centre for brining more projects to Basohli. He disclosed that the project will benefit farmers who have suffered a lot.
Ram Vishwakarma, Director IIIM said from the first day of his election as MP, Dr Jitendra took initiatives and today’s programme was a novel initiate of PM’s Aarogya Gram Yojna. The function was among others also attended by D C Kathua, Ajay Singh Jamwal and Principal Navodya Vidalaya, Basohli.
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