Srinagar, Mar 7: In a symbolic reference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday drew parallels between the prevalence of lotuses in the lakes of Jammu and Kashmir and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s iconic lotus symbol.
Addressing a rally in Srinagar, Modi said the Union Territory’s success story will be a “center of attraction” for the world in the future.
The Prime Minister’s remarks assume significance in light of the BJP’s growing inroads in UT after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The lotus holds religious and cultural significance in the Kashmir Valley.
The Prime Minister’s visit is seen as part of BJP’s outreach in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly polls scheduled later this year.
PM Modi arrived in Srinagar for the first time today after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He reached Srinagar International Airport this morning and straightly drove towards Badamibagh Cantonment here where he paid homage to fallen soldiers at the War Memorial.
After paying homage to fallen soldiers, the Prime Minister reached Bakshi Stadium here where he addressed a large gathering of people.
Referring to the crowd at the venue, he said that after witnessing the love of people here today, he will leave no stone unturned to return this love.
“Today, I can say that I have succeeded in winning the hearts of people in Kashmir and my efforts will continue to win more hearts,” he said, adding that he can’t explain his feeling of landing in Kashmir in words.
Targeting the previous governments, he said that the people were misled by the political parties here on Article 370 for their vested interests, but J&K today is touching new heights as far as the development and the benefits of government schemes to the people is concerned.
Also, he said that J&K is being promoted as the most sought-after wedding destination. “I am myself campaigning for this and a message has gone across that hold weddings in J&K and stay here for a few days so that locals can benefit as well,” PM Modi said.
J&K has witnessed a massive tourist footfall as over two crore tourists visited the Union Territory in 2023, he said, adding that the footfall is increasing, the people from all across the globe, be it foreigners or domestic tourists are visiting J&K in large numbers.
About Srinagar Smart City, he said that the infrastructure is being brought here and in the future, the success story of J&K will be the centre of attraction for the whole world,” he said.
The Prime Minister also stated that some people tell him that Modi has no family, but they are not aware that the entire nation is “Modi’s family.” “Today, people of J&K are giving my opponents a befitting reply by stating that they are Modi’s family,” he said.
Pertinently, PM Modi addressed the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir program in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. He dedicated to the nation Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth about Rs 5000 crores and launched multiple projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme including the project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’, Srinagar.
The Prime Minister also launched the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’ and announced tourist destinations selected under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme, distributed appointment orders to about 1000 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir and will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes including women achievers, lakhpati didis, farmers, entrepreneurs etc.
quote of LG
‘Bakshi stadium has a capacity of 35,000 and besides this, around 25,000 chairs have been put up here. The way people of the valley have come here to attend PM Modi’s program, this stadium is full. I want to apologise to the people who are not able to get a place to sit. If there would have been a ground of 2 lakh capacity, even that ground would be overflowing with the people of Kashmir. This is the kind of love the people of Kashmir have for PM Modi’
