HM offers prayers at Kheer Bhawani temple
*Inaugurates Houseboat festival at Dal lake
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 25: Modi Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terror, and while the situation has improved a lot in Jammu and Kashmir, “we should not be satisfied till total peace is achieved”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today.
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Shah, who extended his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, stayed for the night at the CRPF Campus in Lethpora in Pulwama where a suicide car bomb attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in February 2019 had left 40 paramilitary personnel dead.
“I want to spend one night with you people and understand your problems,” Shah said addressing the security personnel at the CRPF campus, adding it was his “most important” engagement during his visit to the Union territory.
Shah said that the law and order situation has improved a lot in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that he was hopeful “we will be able to realise a peaceful Jammu and Kashmir as envisaged by Prime Minister Modi during our lifetime”.
“Stone-pelting incidents are only seen when we try to look for them. There was a time when stone pelting was common in Kashmir. Such incidents have decreased to a huge extent. But, I want to say that there is no need to be satisfied,” Shah said.
“Narendra Modi Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. We cannot bear it. It is against humanity. It should be our priority to save the people of Kashmir from the persons who are linked to this heinous crime against humanity,” he said.
The Home Minister expressed his gratitude to the CRPF and other security forces for ensuring that there was no bloodshed after Article 370 was revoked in August 2019.
“There are many changes that are happening on the development front, in infrastructure, industrial and education sectors because the Army and CRPF are ensuring that all sinister designs are defeated,” Shah said.
He said when Articles 370 and 35A were revoked, there were many apprehensions that “there would be a huge reaction”.
“It was possible as well, that perhaps there could have been bloodshed, but today I have come here to tell you and tell you freely that because of your alertness not a single shot was fired. It is a huge thing for us.
“The alertness with which 28,000 jawans and also J-K policemen worked after a major decision was taken in national and J-K’s interest, no blood was shed and a new era of development was started in Kashmir,”’ he said.
Its effect is visible in the fact that the Pulwama which was known across the country and the world over for the terror attack on CRPF will now have a medical college to be built at the cost of Rs 2000 crore, he said.
Shah said during 2004-14, an average of 208 civilians and 105 security personnel were killed every year, but in the 2014-21 period, it has come down to 60 personnel and 30 civilians per year.
However, he asked why should even 30 civilians lose their lives to terror incidents.
Shah said the people of J-K have accepted the decision of the revocation of Article 370.
“All the forces here have taken care of the law and order situation in a right manner. So, as the country’s Home Minister, I thank you for the good work,” he said.
Shah said when Modi’s vision of development in J-K is completed successfully, there will be peace.
“And I believe that we will be able to see it in our lifetime only,” he said.
“Jammu and Kashmir stands as an example of the fact if we are able to provide a secure environment and grassroots level democracy, anything can be achieved,” the minister said, adding development in J-K is moving ahead at a double speed.
Shah said India, which was at the 11th position in 2014, will be a major economic power soon.
“Today we are at sixth position and I am sure that by 2024 we will reach the third position,” he said.
The Union Minister said it was an honour for him to spend a night with the CRPF jawans at the campus in Pulwama.
“It is a very important programme for me to be with the forces whether the Army, BSF, CRPF or SSB who are protecting every last inch of the border. This is the last programme of my J-K visit and I can say this without any doubt that it is the most important programme,” he said.
Shah said the goals that the country wants to achieve in its 100th year of independence have to be set now.
He also said India has made rapid strides on the economic front under the Narendra Modi government and expressed confidence that by 2024, “we will be the third largest economy in the world”.
“We will have to set now the goals for the country we want to achieve in the 100th year of India’s independence,” Shah said.
“We are celebrating India’s 75th year of independence under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. But we will have to set goals where we want to see India when we complete 100 years of Independence, ” he said.
The Home Minister said that India has made progress and it will be celebrated but “we have to prepare for the future”.
“We might not be around when India completes 100 years of Independence but the nation will still be there. So, we have to set goals. We have made progress in the 75 years, we will celebrate that and pat the back of those who contributed in it as well,” he said.
Shah said India has made rapid strides on the economic front since Prime Minister Modi first took office in 2014.
“We were the 11th largest economy in 2014. Today, we are hovering between fifth and sixth but by 2024, we will be third largest economy in the world,” he said.
Shah told CRPF personnel that he had not come to set goals for them as their goal was to ensure that those casting an evil eye on India do not succeed.
“The nation sleeps in peace because you are guarding it round the clock. It is your and my job to ensure that those who cast an evil eye on our nation are defeated,” he said.
Earlier, Shah offered prayers at the revered temple of Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal district and said the shrine has divine power which can be felt only after visiting it.
The Home Minister visited the temple complex nestled among chinars in Tullamulla area of the central Kashmir district early Monday morning, officials said.
Donning a traditional Kashmiri pheran, Shah was accompanied to the temple by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Shah offered prayers at the temple of Mata Ragnya Devi and performed puja, the officials said.
Taking to Twitter, Shah said he had the honour of visiting the major centre of faith of the Kashmiri Pandit community which inspires the nation.
“This holy place has divine power that can be felt only by visiting it,” Shah wrote in Kashmiri language using Devanagari script.
The shrine holds a special place among the Kashmiri Pandit community and the colour of water of the springs of the shrine area is believed to foretell how the coming year would be. It has been reported that whenever the water has turned reddish, bad times have fallen on Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Shah inaugurated a Houseboat Festival organised by the Department of Tourism of Jammu and Kashmir at the famous Dal lake here, officials said.
The Minister also witnessed a musical fountain and laser show, that, he said, was “a mesmerising experience”.
The Houseboat Festival has been organised as part of the ‘Iconic Week’ festival celebrating the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said.
Shah was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh.
Later, Shah took to Twitter to share pictures of the event.
“It was a mesmerising experience to watch the musical fountain and laser show at Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake. Also inaugurated the ‘Houseboat Festival’ organised by the J&K Tourism,” Shah said in a tweet.
Earlier, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various development projects in Srinagar today. He inaugurated 500 bedded hospital in Srinagar work on which was completed at a cost of Rs 115 crore. He also laid foundation stone for Handwara Medical College and Rs. 4,000 crore road projects.
A rolling trophy for cricket, football and basketball trophy was started to connect youth with these sports. Besides a programme had launched under which 75 Sufi religious places including Temples, Gurudwaras and Muslim religious places will be upgraded at Government expenses to restore the Ganga-Jamuni culture.
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