‘Now people enjoy music on Jhelum banks till late night’
Feelings being expressed without fear of terror network
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said every effort is being made to ensure that rule of law is maintained in Jammu and Kashmir and people lead a life free of fear, corruption and drugs; and employment-rich.
He said this while addressing India Foundation’s roundtable discussion on development scenario in Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing.
India Foundation president Ram Madhav, former BJP general secretary Incharge Jammu and Kashmir, BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO NITI Aayog and former Chief Secretary J&K, Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation and Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retired), who served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Srinagar-based 15 Corps, eminent personalities, experts and functionaries and members of India Foundation shared their views.
“Every effort is being made to ensure that rule of law is maintained in Jammu and Kashmir. Our effort is to see to it that common man and society live the life free of fear, corruption and drugs; and employment-rich, peacefully,” Sinha said in his address.
Asserting that a major change has come in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said 1.40 crore people of the UT are now living peaceful and prosperous life without any dictate, fear and pressure.
“Thinking of the people has also changed. And this change is for peace. Daily life of the common man has witnessed sea change. Four years back, markets used to shut at 6 pm, there were no people on road and localities were deserted.
“Now you can see restaurants open till late in the night. People enjoy ice cream, guitar and music on the banks of Jhelum river during late hours,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said changes brought in by the Prime Minister have resulted into end of discrimination process and now there are equal opportunities of development for all sections.
“For the first time since independence, the common citizen of J&K can think freely and express their feelings without any fear from separatist-terrorist network. It is one of the biggest transformations common man is witnessing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sinha said.
Asserting that peace is first step in the journey of development, he said: “We do not believe in buying but in establishing peace. There is no distinction in policy and intent. Discriminatory policies imposed for 70 years are gone and citizens are getting equal opportunities for development.”
He said, the peaceful conduct of the G20 summit, Muharram procession being taken out in Kashmir after 34 years, revival of cinemas and unprecedented number of tourists visiting the UT has sent the message that J&K is on the move.
The Lieutenant Governor shared the stellar journey of Jammu Kashmir towards peace, prosperity and unprecedented development.
“The transformation of J&K UT in less than four years has been phenomenal. We have decimated discriminatory system prevalent for almost seven-decades and implemented inclusive policies that fostered development and touched the lives of millions. People have freedom to live their life as they desire, rather than dictated by others,” he added.
Sinha highlighted the reforms introduced by the Government to establish a peaceful and conducive environment empowering the citizens of Jammu Kashmir.
He said, apart from fast economic development and unparalleled growth with equity, there is a rapid social change which is reflected in day to day lives of common citizens. There is growing aspiration in the society to excel, he added.
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