Dil Ki Doori Se Dilli Ki Doori Tak: A Vision for transformation

“Dil ki doori aur Dilli ki doori dono ko kam karna hai,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once said, a promise that now reverberates louder than ever across and mountains of Jammu & Kashmir. Once weighed down by the burden of separatism, scepticism, and historical neglect, the region is now being reimagined, revitalized, and rewritten. Under PM Modi’s decisive leadership, Jammu & Kashmir is moving from the margins to the mainstream of national consciousness.

What is unfolding in the Union Territory is not merely a story of roads, rails, or tunnels, it is the story of a wounded geography healing, of a people rediscovering agency, and of a government delivering with purpose. It is the story of India affirming, once and for all, that Jammu & Kashmir is not just a place on the map, it is a part of the soul of India.

The Bridge That Defied Gravity — and History

Among the most visible symbols of this transformation is the newly inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, soaring 359 meters above the riverbed taller than the Eiffel Tower. Along with the Anji Khad bridge and new stretches of railway lines, these are not just engineering marvels; they are statements of intent. Statements that no mountain is too high, no valley too deep, and no past too dark to prevent the march of progress.

These infrastructural milestones are not simply about steel and concrete they are about connection, access, and dignity. For the first time in history, people from Kashmir will be able to travel seamlessly across the country by train. A child born in Baramulla can now dream of boarding a Vande Bharat to Delhi. This is what “kam karna hai Dilli ki doori” looks like in action.

Yet the more complex task lies ahead: reducing “dil ki doori” — the emotional distance. Critics often scoff that development alone cannot solve decades of mistrust. That’s true. But it would be dishonest to ignore the immense progress made on that front, and the clear intention with which this government is addressing it.

The removal of Article 370 was not just a legal manoeuvre it was an emotional reset. For decades, Kashmiris lived in constitutional limbo, citizens of India in name but excluded from rights and opportunities available to every other Indian. PM Modi’s vision sought to correct that wrong. His message was clear: no more two constitutions, no more two flags, and no more two emotional distances. One India, one Constitution, one future.

For the first time in decades, we saw the Panchayati Raj system is functioning robustly in the region ( until recently as elections for new panchayat is yet to be conducted ) Governance is no longer an elite privilege. It is now a grassroots reality. The people of Kupwara, Doda, and Poonch were stakeholders in local governance, voicing their priorities and seeing results.

Furthermore, the inclusion of marginalized communities such as the Gujjars, Bakarwals, and Paharis in the democratic process through reservations and targeted schemes has changed the tone of political discourse. These are not symbolic gestures. They are constitutional commitments executed with precision.

Youth: From Stone to Startup

One of the most moving indicators of change is visible in the eyes of J&K’s youth. After Narender Modi took over as Prime Minster now no longer are they seen through the distorted lens of conflict and suspicion. Over 1.2 lakh youth have been trained under various skill missions. From software programming to hotel management, from civil services coaching to sports scholarships, Kashmir’s youth are stepping into the national mainstream with confidence.

Entrepreneurship is being nurtured through dedicated incubation centers, with young innovators from Anantnag to Kathua building businesses, not barricades. That is the new face of Kashmir.

PM Modi has often emphasized that healing a region’s psyche requires cultural respect. The G20 meeting hosted in Srinagar wasn’t just about diplomacy; it was a signal to the world that Kashmir is a land of heritage, hospitality, and harmony. From hosting national literature festivals to promoting Kashmiri crafts globally, the cultural narrative is being reclaimed with pride. Though the recent pahalgam attack has a huge impact , but people are witness to how films are returning to cinemas in Srinagar. Artisans are exporting again. And schools are filled with students who know that their future lies not in fear, but in freedom.

Our Resolve Is Unshaken

Yet, as with any transformation, there are forces that resist change. The recent terrorist attack targeting tourists in Pahalgam is a grim reminder of the challenges that persist. It was not just an act of violence; it was an attempt to rewind the clock to sow fear, to break the spirit of peace.

But let it be known, unequivocally, that such attacks will not defer our national resolve.

Tourism, which is breaking records with 2 crore visitors last year, is not just a revenue stream; it is a symbol of normalcy. And that normalcy cannot and will not be held hostage by the remnants of terror. Security forces are responding with precision, the administration with compassion, and the people with courage. We shall rise again .

PM Modi’s message is clear: “We will not stop, we will not bow, and we will not let darkness dim the light of Kashmir’s future.”

One India, Shared Destiny

Reducing “dil ki doori” is not just a poetic phrase it is a policy mission. It is being implemented across domains from education to employment, from language preservation to women’s empowerment. From increased representation of J&K students in national institutions, to integrating people with rest of country , the message is: “You matter. You belong. We grow together.”

Critics may choose to look for blemishes, but the people of J&K are looking toward the horizon. And they are seeing, perhaps for the first time in decades, a future they can call their own.

The Road Ahead

The journey from “dil ki doori” to “Dilli ki doori” being reduced is not finished. But never before has the path been this clear, this inclusive, and this determined. This is not merely about reconciliation it is about reimagination. Not just about healing the past but building a bold, new future.

Under PM Modi’s leadership, Jammu & Kashmir is no longer seen as a burden, a battlefield, or a borderland. It is celebrated for what it truly is: a crown of diversity, a cradle of culture, and a canvas of opportunity.

The heart of India is beating stronger in the Himalayas. And the pulse of New Kashmir is one with the nation.

Adv Sajid Yousuf Shah heads BJP Media Department Kashmir.

He is a prolific author and writer.