PM Modi in Jammu-Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled multiple development projects and addressed a public meeting in Srinagar today (March 7) during his first visit to Kashmir after his government abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi attended the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium and inaugurated initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union Territory.
PM Modi posted on X and said, "Upon reaching Srinagar a short while ago, had the opportunity to see the majestic Shankaracharya Hill from a distance."
PM Modi visited an exhibition, showcasing local products of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. He met local entrepreneurs, craftsmen and interacted with them in Srinagar. PM was accompanied by J-K LG Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium where PM is attending the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program.
LG Manoj Sinha welcomes PM Modi in Jammu-Kashmir
J&K LG Manoj Sinha said, "On behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I welcome PM Modi in Srinagar. In the last 10 years, the development of J&K has been PM Modi's priority. Today, J&K is shining with pride. For the last three decades, the valley of Kashmir was bled to death by terrorism and injustice and today the flag of peace and development is flying high here under your leadership."
PM's 1st visit after removal of Article 370
This is the PM’s first visit to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. With the Lok Sabha election around the corner and opposition parties seeking an announcement on Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister's scheduled visit has acquired a keen political dimension in terms of what he might have to say on the issue.
The BJP-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium draped in tricolour for PM's visit
The Bakshi Stadium has been draped in national tricolour for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit even as stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the high-profile event passes off peacefully. Prime Minister Modi will participate in the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme at the Bakshi stadium.Tight security in J-K amid PM Modi's visit
The officials said that tight security arrangements have been made for the visit of the prime minister, which will be his first to the valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The security forces have been deployed in numbers all along the routes to be taken by Prime Minister Modi during his stay in Srinagar while barricades have been established at many places to prevent movement of the people during the VVIP visit, the officials said.
Drones and CCTV cameras are being used for surveillance while foot patrolling by the security forces has been intensified in a two-kilometre radius around the venue. Marine commandos have been deployed in river Jhelum and Dal Lake to prevent the use of these water bodies for any subversive activities, they said.
Several schools falling along the route to be taken by the prime minister have been closed for Wednesday and Thursday while board examinations scheduled to be held on Thursday have been postponed till next month.
Multiple development projects inauguration
He also dedicated to the nation and launched multiple projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme, including the project for 'Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine', Srinagar. The Prime Minister will also launch the 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll' and 'Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign'.
He also announced tourist destinations selected under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. Besides, the Prime Minister 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. In a step that will provide a major boost to the agri-economy of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister dedicated 'Holistic Agriculture Development Programme' (HADP) to the nation. HADP is an integrated program encompassing the full spectrum of activities in the three major domains of agri-economy viz Horticulture, Agriculture and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir. The programme is expected to equip about 2.5 lakh farmers with skill development via a dedicated Daksh Kisan portal.
Benefits for farming community
Under the programme, about 2,000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be established and robust value chains will be put in place for the welfare of the farming community. The programme will lead to employment generation benefiting lakhs of marginal families in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister's vision is to improve the overall experience of tourists and pilgrims visiting prominent pilgrimage and tourism sites nationwide by building world-class infrastructure and amenities at these sites. In line with this, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation and launch multiple initiatives under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes worth more than Rs 1,400 crore.
The projects to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister include the development of 'Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine' in Srinagar, J&K; tourism facilities developed in the Northeast circuit in Meghalaya; Spiritual Circuit in Bihar and Rajasthan; Rural and Tirthankar Circuit in Bihar; development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana; and development of Amarkantak Temple, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. To create world-class infrastructure and amenities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, and to enhance their holistic spiritual experience, the project 'Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine' has been executed. The key components of the project include site development of the entire area including the construction of the boundary wall of the Shrine; Illumination of the Hazratbal shrine Precinct; the Improvement of Ghats and Devri Paths around the Shrine; Construction of Sufi interpretation centre; Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre; Installation of Signages; Multilevel Storied Car parking; Construction of Public Convenience Block and entrance Gateway of the Shrine; among others.
Launching pilgrimage, tourist sites across India
PM Modi will also launch about 43 projects that will develop a wide range of pilgrimage and tourist sites across the country. These include important religious sites like the Annavaram Temple in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh; Navagraha Temples in Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai District of Tamilnadu and Karaikal district of Puducherry; Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple, Mysore District, Karnataka; Karni Mata Mandir, Bikaner District Rajasthan; Maa Chintpurni Temple, Una District, Himachal Pradesh; Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Goa, among others. The projects also include development of various other sites and experience centres like Mechuka Adventure Park in Arunachal Pradesh; Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand; Ecotourism zone at Ananthagiri forest, Ananathagiri, Telangana; Meghalayan Age Cave Experience and Waterfall Trails Experience at Sohra, Meghalaya; Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate, Jorhat, Assam; Ecotourism experience at Kanjli Wetland, Kapurthala, Punjab; Julley Leh Biodiversity Park, Leh, among others.
Announcement of new tourist destinations
During the programme, the Prime Minister will announce 42 tourist destinations selected under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. The innovative scheme, announced during Union Budget 2023-24, aims to provide end-to-end tourist experiences by catalysing the development of tourist destinations while also promoting sustainability and ushering competitiveness in the tourism sector. The 42 destinations have been identified in four categories (16 in Culture & Heritage Destination; 11 in spiritual destinations; 10 in Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar; and 5 in Vibrant Village). Prime Minister will launch the first-ever nationwide initiative to identify the pulse of the nation on tourism, in the form of 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice 2024'.
The nationwide poll aims to engage with citizens to identify the most preferred tourist attractions and understand tourist perceptions across 5 tourism categories - Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, and another category. Besides the four main categories, the 'other' category is where one can vote for their personal favourites and help uncover hidden tourism gems in the form of unexplored tourism attractions and destinations like Vibrant Border Villages, Wellness Tourism, Wedding Tourism etc.
This poll exercise is being hosted on the MyGov platform, the citizen engagement portal of the Government of India. Prime Minister will launch the 'Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign' to inspire the Indian diaspora to become Incredible India ambassadors and promote tourism to India. The campaign is being launched based on the clarion call of the Prime Minister, wherein he requested Indian diaspora members to encourage at least 5 non-Indian friends to travel to India. With more than 3 crore overseas Indians, the Indian diaspora can serve as a powerful catalyst for Indian tourism, acting as cultural Ambassadors.
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