*PM leading country towards development: Dr Jitendra
Sanjeev Pargal
Jammu, Apr 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s formula for Jammu and Kashmir solution under the gambit of “Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat’’ and said his “mantra’’ of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’’ will add colors to the Vajpayee’s call, whom he described as “widely respected’’ leader in the State.
Addressing public at village Kakryal, about five kilometers from Katra town, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine during which he electronically inaugurated Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital and Sports Complex, Katra, Modi assured full support of Central Government to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP Government in Jammu and Kashmir to move ahead on developmental front.
“The Central and State Governments will move together shoulder-to-shoulder for betterment and development of Jammu and Kashmir. I have already announced the package of Rs 80,000 crores for the State during my visit to Srinagar (on November 7 last year) when Mufti Sayeed was the Chief Minister,’’ he said in his 24 minutes address to the gathering of local people of Kakryal in the presence of Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh among others.
Mehbooba broke down as Modi said he was feeling the absence of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at the dais though he strongly appreciated the courageous and energetic Mehbooba for having dreams for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and making all out attempts to fulfill them.
“Mufti Sayeed had a long tenure full of public life. Whenever he met me, he always talked of taking Jammu and Kashmir forward removing the “gap’’ between two regions of Jammu and Kashmir. He had a vision and dreams for the State and Mehbooba is determined to take the State forward,’’ Modi said.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had enormous faith in Atal Bihari Vajpayee… Very few leaders commanded such respect… He used to say ‘Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat are key to progress of Jammu and Kashmir’. We have to take the State to new heights through these pillars,” he said, adding he would add his “mantra’’ of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas’’ for development and progress of the State.
He added that all problems have one solution and i.e. Vikaas (development)…creation of modern infrastructure, schools, colleges, electricity and roads, all of which are important part of the people’s lives.
“I was hearing Mehbooba ji. The enthusiasm with which she spoke of the future of Jammu and Kashmir like development of tourism infrastructure, construction of bridges etc., clearly showed she is totally committed to the State with her energetic leadership… I congratulate her,” he said as he repeatedly lauded Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was sharing dais with the Prime Minister for the first time after taking over as the Chief Minister of the State a fortnight ago.
“Mehbooba ji always talks about the development of Jammu and Kashmir when we meet. When such a thought is there, development is bound to happen,” he said.
The Prime Minister also invoked former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan, who had established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in 1986 and said: “today, the Shrine Board has set an example as to how best the offerings given to the shrine by the people including poorest of the poor can be best utilized. They have set up University, Hospital, Sports Complex and much more…even this hospital is not an ordinary hospital. People of this State now don’t need to go outside for treatment. The Shrine Board has shown the way and, for this, this deserve to be applauded and congratulated’’.
Saying that the Central Government will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the State Government for changing the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir and fulfill the aspirations of the people, Modi recalled Rs 80,000 crores worth package given to the State in November last year.
Praising the new Chief Minister of the state, he said, “Mehbooba ji does not talk about weather, but she always talks about the bridge, road and development. When leadership has such much of dedication towards development, then development becomes imminent.”
He said the Centre and the State Government are working together for the infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Government of India with full force will move forward shoulder to shoulder and step by step with state government for changing the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir and fulfil the aspirations of people of the state,” the Prime Minister said.
Paying tributes to Sayeed who headed PDP-BJP coalition government for 10 months before his sudden demise on January 7, Modi said, “He (Sayeed) had in his mind to make Jammu and Kashmir a place which would be a role model for the entire country.”
“He (Sayeed) had in his mind to make Jammu and Kashmir a place which would be a role model for the entire country,” he said while paying tributes to the late leader who headed PDP-BJP coalition government for 10 months before his sudden demise on January 7.
“I got an opportunity to hold three programmes at the foothills of Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine. I got an opportunity to meet the young talent at the First programme of convocation of the Shrine University.
“Very few people in India know that Jammu and Kashmir is providing education to the students of various parts of the country in a homely atmosphere.. This is the strength of Jammu and Kashmir which gives it recognition across the country,” Modi said.
This comment assumed significance against the backdrop of controversy surrounding NIT in Srinagar which recently witnessed clashes between outstation and local students over India’s defeat against West Indies in semi final of T-20 World Cup.
Noting that Jammu and Kashmir has a lot of potential in tourism, he said there are many new areas like adventure tourism that require modern infrastructure.
“The work on rail line and improving road connectivity is going on at full speed,” the Prime Minister said, adding when the distance and travel time between Jammu and Srinagar reduces, more pilgrims coming to Katra will visit the Valley as well. The distance between Jammu to Srinagar will be reduced to half with the construction of highway. Leh and Ladakh will also get better connectivity, he added.
“When a tourist visits Jammu & Kashmir, he not only contributes to the welfare of the people of the State but the country as well,” he said.
In tourism sector, Jammu and Kashmir is undertaking a big service to the country. People of Jammu and Kashmir should dream and should attract tourists from across the world to the State. Development is the answer to all our ills. We need to have a balanced and equal development in all sides (of the country) whether it is J&K or Kanyakumari,” he said.
Describing environment in surroundings of the Shrine Board Hospital as wonderful, Modi said a person requiring treatment for 15 days will get cured just in five days with the blessings of Goddess Vaishno Devi as the shrine is located in feet of the Goddess and excellent atmosphere.
He called upon the Government and the Shrine Board to make efforts to attract pilgrim tourism to Katra as the people can come here for both darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi ji and treatment at the hospital, which is being given at “affordable prices’’.
Reiterating his call for fast track development of the country through his famous slogan “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas’’, the Prime Minister said all 125 crores people of this nation will have to work together and join hands to fulfill this dream.
The Prime Minister said the State is attracting students from all over the nation and this gives strength to India. He added that the country’s focus should be a holistic approach on preventive health care and wellness.
“We should focus on healthy life and our efforts should be aimed at creating cleanliness in our surroundings. Due to meditation and cleanliness, the international experts say, a people can save Rs 7000 per month on his drug bill. Even hand wash before taking meals can save many children from the jaws of death,’’ he said and pointed out that even the United Nations has recognized the importance of Yoga and declared June 21 as ‘Yog Divas’, which was observed by 93 countries across the globe.
Referring to preventive healthcare, Modi said it was possible to stay away from the hospitals by adopting healthy life like taking to sports, yoga, adopting good eating habits, maintaining cleanliness in houses and surroundings and hand wash before every meal..
“We are hosting FIFA U-17 World Cup and this has to be an opportunity for us to celebrate sports. The world should see our ‘yuva shakti’ (youth power),” he said.
Referring to the importance of sports, he said: “Jo Khelta Hai, Wahi Khilta Hai (one who plays, he shines)’’. He lauded the Shrine Board for construction of Sports Complex in Katra town, which will help youth stay fit and shine in sports. He also referred to Kashmir cricketer (Parvez Rasool) for shining at the national level.
Earlier, Prime Minister pushed the button and inaugurated Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital and Sports Complex Katra from the rally dais.
He also distributed free treatment and cashless insurance cards among some people of local villages, who had given free land for the hospital. He said it was not an easy decision for the people to give their land free of cost.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti spoke about “pain in the heart of Kashmir” which needs to be addressed immediately by all so that the youth of the State also flourish and contribute to the growth of the nation.
In her first public rally after taking over as the Chief Minister on April 4, she spoke about the unrest in Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Syria and Libya.
“In Pakistan, the Government is fighting against its own people… Sunni kills Shia and vice versa,” she told the rally, adding in other countries, where people of only one community lives, they are fighting each other.
However, she said, she was proud to live in a nation where people from different religions live in peace and harmony but there is a pain… There is a pain in heart of Kashmir and we all have to heal it together.
“We need to heal it so that the youth of Kashmir flourish like those in rest of the country,” she said.
Referring to the recent killings in Handwara town of north Kashmir, she expressed hope that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, her Government will be able to restore peace in the State.
“When (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji was taking bus to Lahore, seven persons were killed in Srinagar. Now, five people, three of them young students of 11th, 12th and 14th classes have been killed in Handwara. This trend has to be checked. Peace has to be restored in the Valley. Hopefully, with the help of Modi Ji, we will restore the peace,’’ the Chief Minister said.
She recalled her conversation with her late father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and said when talks for alliance between PDP and BJP were going on he had told her, “I have held the hand of a person who has been made the Prime Minister of the country by 125 crores of people.”
Recalling her visit to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi as a college student, Mehbooba said, “Bhagwan Vishnu and Mata Vaishno Devi chose Jammu and Kashmir (as their abode) from across the world. What can be better than this that crores of people of the country have place of faith here in J&K?”
She recalled that she used to visit Mata Vaishno Devi ji during her college days and had to wait in queue for bath and darshan of the Goddess. She said it was quite famous then for Adh-Kunwari that one who would have committed sins, will not be able to pass through the cave.
“Narendra Modi ji, Jammu and Kashmir is a mini-India and complete in itself,” she said, adding when turmoil erupted in Kashmir, not only Kashmiri Pandits but even Muslims families shifted to Jammu and they were welcomed by people here.
“I salute the people of Jammu for giving shelter to such large number of people and sharing their everything,” she said.
She said her father and later Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was instrumental in setting up three universities in Jammu and Kashmir in 2004 in a bid to make the state a model for the country including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and Islamic University.
“I am happy that girls have got the highest number of gold medals at this Shrine university. My focus is the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba said.
She hoped that Central Government will come forward to help Jammu and Kashmir in education, employment and creation of avenues for the young generation in the State.
Mehbooba said their family too has lone brother and three sisters and it is good to see the girls shining in education and winning more medals.
She hoped that Wakaf Board would also utilize the offering for construction of Universities and hospitals.
Mehbooba said providing a sense of security to youth in the State was one of her “prime responsibilities” and pitched for immediate steps to end the “vortex of violence permanently”.
“We had witnessed several tragic incidents in the past, like in Baljarala in Rajouri, Chittisinghpora in Anantnag and more recently in Handwara where innocent people have been caught in the vortex of violence. We need to take immediate steps to bring an end to this permanently,” she said.
She said the Centre and the State Governments will have to join hands to win the hearts and minds of the people, especially the youth.
“I have great hope and expectations from my party’s alliance with BJP,” she said.
The Chief Minister said “once we are able to build trust among the youth, they will flourish and contribute to the growth of the country.”
Praising India for its global rise as a “knowledge society”, the Chief Minister sought “liberal financial assistance from the Centre in higher education segment to create enough employment opportunities to absorb our talented human resource.”
Governor N N Vohra, in his brief address, said the Shrine Board hospital has been constructed at the cost of Rs 300 crores and Sports Complex for Rs 15 crores. He said Narayana Health has chain of 32 hospitals in the country and a Board committee headed by its member, Dr SS Bloeria had given the responsibility to it to run the hospital after talking to many chains.
“This was the first hospital in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode in Jammu and Kashmir and has taken eight years to complete,’’ Vohra said.
In his address, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, who also represents Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, where Katra falls, declared that in entire Jammu and Kashmir, it was only the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was shining.
“Be it Kashmir Ghati, Jammu Kandi and cold desert Ladakh, the people were chanting only one name and that it Narendra Modi because of his ‘mantra’ of development,’’ Dr Singh said amidst thundering applause from the crowd.
Recalling that Modi has started election campaign after taking blessings of Goddess Vaishno Devi, Jitendra Singh said he visited Katra within two months of becoming the Prime Minister and dedicated railway line to Katra.
“Now again, the Prime Minister has visited Katra and inaugurated hospital and sports complex,’’ he said.
Referring to Mehbooba Mufti’s speech that Jammu and Kashmir is a ‘guldasta’ (flower pot), Dr Singh said the Modi will keep all three regions of this ‘guldasta’ tied in one pot.
“Entire country has started moving on the journey of development under the leadership of Modi ji and Jammu and Kashmir is part of that,’’ he declared.
An official handout said: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 230 bed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital at Kakryal, established at a cost of Rs. 300 crore. This Hospital will be run by Narayana Hospitals with whom the Shrine Board entered into an agreement. Governor N.N. Vohra, who is Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, accompanied the Prime Minister during his visit to the Hospital.
At the Governor’s request, Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bangalore, briefed the Prime Minister about the specialised treatment in the areas of Cardiology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Radiology which would be provided at this Hospital.
The Prime Minister was informed about the state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipments of the Hospital including Ultra Modern ICUs with ventilators, defibrillators, multipara monitoring system, centralized gas supply, 128 slice CT scan, 1.5 Tesla MRI, Colour Doppler, Ultrasound, Digital X-ray, Mammography, C-Arm, ECG, Echo, TMT and Pulmonary Function Test were available in the Hospital.
Modi was briefed about the Hospital providing 24×7 emergency services, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, ambulance, cancer screening buses and a full-fledged bone marrow transplant facility.
The Governor informed the Prime Minister about the Shrine Board’s policy to provide concessional medical treatment to certain specified categories of patients at the Hospital.
A pilgrim undertaking Yatra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi who requires any medical intervention will be given free consultation and treatment, OPD as well as IPD. In the case of any pre-existing ailments, free treatment will be provided till the patient stabilises.
The residents of four adjoining Sira, Kakryal, Kotla and Sool villages (including land owners’ families who have parted with their lands for the establishment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the Hospital) will be given free OPD treatment in the Superspeciality Hospital.
In the case of land owners (together with their spouses), who have parted with their lands for the establishment of both Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the Hospital, the Board shall provide each owner with a Medical Insurance Policy to cover indoor treatment. The premium of the policy is being borne by the Board. This will ensure cashless treatment to the landowners and their spouses, in any of the empanelled hospitals of the Insurance Company upto Rs. one lakh.
Apart from the above, old aged patients, poor, needy and the destitute who require treatment will be provided care free of charge. A separate policy for provision of immediate and gratuitous relief (by way of medical treatment) has been approved as a goodwill measure for the local populace living farther away from the neighbouring villages. A provision has also been made to provide free services to such poor and needy people.
Meanwhile, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (SMVDNSH), has announced major concessions for patients undergoing major surgeries and other procedures.
Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Hrudyalaya Ltd, while speaking at the inaugural function, announced 50% concession on the first 100 major surgeries in each department. Also announced today was a 10% concession on all other procedures for a period of six months from 19th April, 2016. It is pertinent to mention that the Hospital, on commencing operations on 8th April 2016 has already announced free OPD for three months for one and all.
At the inaugural function today, Mediclaim Cards were distributed, on a token basis, by the Prime Minister to the landowners whose lands had been acquired for the establishment of Shri Mata Vaishno DeviUniversity and the Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. Under this scheme, the said villagers and their spouses have been insured at the expense of the Shrine Board for hospitalisation expenses upto Rs 1 lakh.
The Shrine Board would also be providing free of cost OPD consultation to the villagers of the nearby four villages viz. Sirah, Kakryal, Shool and Kotla.
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