‘Efforts to give boost to tourism in Jammu’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 18: In the 4th episode of “Awaam ki Awaaz” radio programme, aired today on all local & primary channels of All India Radio (AIR) stations in the UT, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while referring to the upcoming Kargil Vijay Diwas, paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers and martyrs of the security forces.
“I bow to all the heroes, their valor and supreme sacrifice in the defence of the motherland and also salute the undaunted courage of their families. Today, the tricolor is waving with pride and J&K is entering a new era of progress all due to the gallantry of our soldiers”, he observed.
In today’s episode of Awaam ki Awaaz, the main focus was the enterprising Youth of J&K and the overall developmental agenda of the Government, revolving around creating a host of opportunities for them, devising policies, and undertaking reforms that facilitate the fulfillment of their dreams & aspirations.
Noting that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are inherently capable and talented; Sinha said that the UT administration is committed to provide them the right platforms and have taken many historic decisions in this regard, including the establishment of Youth Clubs in all the Panchayats across the UT, in the coming weeks.
He informed that in the first phase, 25,000 young boys and girls will be connected with different cultural, sports, skill development, and community programs. J&K Sports Council is organizing at least 4-5 sporting events every day in different disciplines and the immense youth engagement clearly narrates their success stories. These steps have been highly appreciated on social media and will bring a new revolution in the field of youth engagement and employment.
He also spoke on the ‘Parvaaz’ scheme started by the UT Government for providing coaching of Civil Services and other examinations to the youth of J&K and reiterated that the Government’s endeavor is to provide the best coaching facilities to our children as the field of education is progressing continuously.
He mentioned that under “Mission Youth”, the administration has decided to provide financial assistance to 400 Dental Surgeons to start their own clinics and 800 paramedics are also being added to this programme. Further, a 360-degree training in financial services for youth in association with Bombay Stock Exchange aims to train 5000 youth with this collaboration.
On receiving over 6,000 suggestions in last one month, Sinha said people have expressed their views on various topics and strengthened the government’s commitment to work with public participation, thereby strengthening Jan Bhagidari which is the cornerstone of developmental agenda.
Welcoming the suggestions on reforms in education sector, he said that all the suggestions are very interesting and will have far-reaching impacts. He assured that the administration is fully committed to making progressive changes in the field of education with a comprehensive approach, to make it more skill-oriented, facilitating employability and entrepreneurship. The concerned departments will take necessary action on all these suggestions, he added.
He also mentioned some good inputs including one from Irfan Ahmad Bhat of Budgam suggesting the addition of Rural Development as a subject in Higher Secondary institutes and Degree Colleges. Mohammad Mohsin from Budgam, Sabiya Mehraj from Srinagar, Syed Ahmed, Javed Mir of Budgam, Narinder Swamy of Doda, Amit, and Abida Hassan of Kulgam, all suggested various innovative measures in the education sector and vocational training, besides making computer education compulsory in the schools. Shaista Amin of Srinagar also suggested for starting Ph.D. program in History at Cluster University Kashmir and Central University Kashmir.
The Lt Governor observed that along with the Government of India, the J&K administration is also working on the New Education Policy and all such employment-oriented and personality-building subjects will be included in the syllabi. “We are also bringing reforms in higher education and skill development sectors”, he added.
Lauding Sheikh Adnan Fayaz, a well-known athlete from Bandipora for winning gold medal for the country in Taekwondo, the Lt Governor said that the entire country is proud of his achievements. On his suggestions to encourage sports among the youth, he informed that the Government has already decided to take various sports to the Panchayat level and the Sports Council is doing this work with full dedication. J&K is going to hold 17 national competitions in various sports in which about 12,000 players from all States and UTs will participate, he added.
On the issue of seasonal teachers highlighted by Javed Iqbal from Poonch, Sinha said that the administration is concerned about their well-being and has also hiked their emoluments. “Our Education Department is preparing a comprehensive plan to increase the learning outcome of the children for the remaining six months and I assure you that a decision will be taken on it soon”, he added.
On receiving an overwhelming number of suggestions from the younger generation, the Lt Governor said that after reading them he is hopeful that the fresh whiff of energy and resolve of our youth will transform the socio-economic structure of the UT. “With the courage and foresight of younger generation, we will take J&K on a new trajectory of progress”, he added.
Expressing joy over the achievement of School Education Department, Sinha informed that J&K ranks first with 80,600 primary teachers of J&K having been enriched under “Nishtha”, a training program for primary teachers through online mode. He further informed that it had been decided to constitute Educational Reform Committee of Teachers at various levels to inculcate a sense of empowerment among the teachers, besides improving the enrollment and performance of the students, making them more responsible towards their duty. “Social and economic development will reach the grassroots level at a faster pace only when all the experienced people and experts of their respective fields work together with the administration for the betterment of the citizens”, he added.
On the disruptions caused by recent rains in the UT, the Lt Governor said the concerned departments are keeping an eye on the situation in the cities and villages and every effort is afoot to redress the grievances of the common people immediately.
The Lt Governor said that many important decisions have been taken in the last 11 months to double the income of farmers in J&K and to make them socially and financially empowered as per the vision and guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Keeping in mind the agricultural and horticultural products of respective divisions, various decisions have taken a tangible form and a new definition of farmer-centric development has been established.
On suggestions received for the promotion and development of adventure and heritage tourism in hitherto unattended areas of Jammu Division, the Lt Governor said that efforts are being made vigorously to increase tourism in almost all the districts of Jammu division. He informed that instructions have been given to develop the tourism sector in a better way in all the 10 districts of Jammu Division. Tourist circuits have been made to promote Adventure, Cultural and Religious Tourism. Now the devotees coming to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi would reach other religious and tourist places as well. A plan has also been prepared to develop Mantalai as a tourist destination and encourage tourism in remote areas of Kishtwar.
The Lt Governor said that officers of the department have also been asked to take necessary action to promote Jammu tourism circuit and organize a 3-month long Jammu Mahotsav at various tourist places in the division. Sinthan Pass and Mughal Road have been opened to the general public and the number of tourists is expected to rise in the coming days, he added.
Observing the negligence and callous behavior being shown by some people in following the corona protocol, the Lt Governor urged everyone to take precautions against Corona.
“I request you all to please be careful. Covid Appropriate Behavior is the most infallible weapon to fight this epidemic. By following the Corona protocol, you are not only saving your life but also protecting the lives of people around”, he added.
Concluding his address, the Lt Governor extended Eid-ul-Azha greetings to the people and appealed them to celebrate the festival by following the Covid protocol.
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