Modi’s Kashmir visit guarantees hope and optimism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to commence on a historic journey to the Kashmir Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. One of the most influential and people friendly leader Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir is being eagerly awaited by the people wholeheartedly that signifies a renewed commitment to the region’s development, peaceful and prosperous Kashmir.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is poised to announce a profusion of developmental projects aimed at enhancing the lives of Kashmiri residents. The anticipated magnitude of people’s eagerness to hear their Prime Minister, reflects the enthusiasm among the people to engage with the Modi-led developmental initiatives and schemes. His schemes are not just the promises but have in fact benefited millions of beneficiaries aligning with his slogan, “Modi Guarantee”.

As reverberated by the Prime Minister himself during his recent visit in Jammu, the BJP is fulfilling dreams of people, unfulfilled for the past 70 years, in Jammu & Kashmir. Modi’s guarantee is final and is the guarantee that every one’s dreams will be fulfilled. In the past, only sad news, like bomb blasts and separatism, would emerge from Kashmir. Education, connectivity and development has replaced it. Now, J&K is on the path of progress and development.

The transformative changes have transpired in Kashmir since 2019 viz the eradication of separatist disruptions and the significant decline in incidents like stone pelting, zero civilian casualties, no hartals (shutdowns) bear evidence to the region’s newfound stability and peace. Modi’s policies have brought smiles to the faces of Kashmiri mothers. Instead of stones, Kashmiri youth now carry pens and laptops. The mothers of Kashmiri youngsters are happy.

They don’t see the future of their children in shambles, but rather see them reaching new heights. Protest calendar is no longer issued, and stone pelting is now history. Markets, schools, and universities now remain open throughout the year.

There was a time when schools were burnt, today schools are being decorated. J&K is emerging as an educational hub now. Under Modi’s leadership, J&K has taken a ‘sanklap’ of ‘Viksit Jammu and Kashmir’. With Modi's Guarantee, Jammu and Kashmir will be ‘viksit.’ Modi's vision for larger development and love for all reflects in the couplet of Mirza Athar Zia as,

“Mujh Mei Thodi Si Jagah Bhi Nahi Nafrat Ke Liye

Mai Tou Har Waqt Mohabbat Se Bhara Rehta Hu”

The thriving tourism industry, normal functioning of educational institutions, and uninterrupted business activities signify a positive line towards prosperity and progress. The tourism witnessed ever-time high inflow in the valley illustrated a return of good business.

It reflected growing faith among tourists that Kashmir is calm and they don’t need to fear for their safety in Kashmir. There are no more border skirmishes in Kashmir. There has neither been a war with Pakistan nor eruption of large-scale violence in the valley.

The world’s largest rail bridge to connect Kashmir in the Himalayas to Kanyakumari on its southernmost tip is self explanatory what Modi's vision is for the Kashmir. Definitely Modi reduced the distance between New Delhi and the Kashmiris and promise of economic development has won the hearts and minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The rights denied to several sections of the society, including women, refugees, Valmikis, Safai Karam Charis, Paharis, Kohli’s, Gada's ST's, OBC's got their democratic share only under the dynamic leadership of Narendra Modi. Seats have been reserved for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes in panchayats, municipalities and J&K Assembly.

There is a positivity about investing in Kashmir. The successful G20 meeting in the Kashmir have echoed in the globe. A record two crore tourists have visited J&K in the past one year. More visitors will come with the train network expansions from Jammu to Srinagar and the new express highway from Jammu to Delhi is testimony to the fact that J&K is on progress, peace and prosperity under the Modi-led initiatives and his sincere efforts towards the region.

Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir was exemplified during his recent visit to Jammu, where he inaugurated transformative projects worth Rs 32,000 crore. His proactive engagement with the local populace and dedication to addressing their concerns have garnered widespread appreciation and support.

The Prime Minister’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community, a long-standing demand pending for over five decades, reflects his visionary inclusive governance approach and commitment to addressing historical grievances. Not only this, I remember when our Prime Minister said that “when women prosper, the world prospers.”

Be it political reservations, equal rights, and representation, Modi's vision has always been to support womenfolk and remove the barriers that restrict women's access to markets, global value-chains, and affordable finance.

At 1.4 million, 46% of elected representatives in rural local bodies in India are women. Women in India have been brand Ambassadors for ‘Mission LiFE’ – Lifestyle for Environment. Under India’s G20 Presidency, it has been decided to establish a new Working Group on ‘Women Empowerment’. The elected women representatives have been key agents of economic, environmental and social change.

The mobilization of women into self-help groups has also been a powerful force for change, as these self-help groups and elected women representatives have emerged as pillars of support for the communities during the pandemic. Be it the manufacturing of masks and sanitisers, and creating awareness about prevention of infection, womenfolk has always been on the forefront proudly.

Pertinently, women-led development has been a key priority for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 70% of the loans up to one million rupees to support micro-level units under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have been sanctioned to women. Similarly, 80% of beneficiaries under Stand-Up India are women, availing bank loans for green field projects.

The clean cooking fuel directly impacts the environment and improves the health of women, viz Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and as approximately 100 million cooking gas connections have been provided to the rural women. ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ ensures free grains, smoke-free households, and housing for rural families & empowerment of all sections of society.

Meanwhile, the number of women in technical education in Industrial Training Institutes has doubled since 2014, nearly 43 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates in India are women, and about one-fourth of space scientists in India are women.

As rightly reverberated by the Narendra Modi that behind the success of our flagship programmes like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Mission Mars lies the talent and hard work of these women scientists. More women are enrolling in higher education than men in India. This is the proud moment that India has one of the highest percentages of female pilots in civil aviation while female pilots in the Indian Air Force are also flying fighter aircrafts.

As Prime Minister Modi sets foot in the Kashmir Valley once again, the people eagerly anticipate the announcement of a comprehensive development package and potential measures to regularize the employment status of thousands of ad-hoc and contractual employees.

His visit will symbolize a beacon of hope and prosperity for the people of Kashmir, in creating peace, progress, and inclusive development in the region. Modi's vision has many components, from economic growth to all-inclusive development, he always wants to empower and connect people.

Jazbaat be ho jate hai auroo ke hawale, Bahter to yahi hai ki khuda garz na dale,

Gar garz be dale to kisi ahle wafa say, Jaise Sudama ko mile Bhansuri wale

In welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Kashmir who think and talk about the solutions & his actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, I personally embrace a future filled with promise, unity, and prosperity, as we collectively embark on a journey towards realizing the full potential of this beautiful land and its resilient people. I remember Hafeez Banarasi's couplet and it goes like this,

“Sabhi ke deep sundar hain hamare kya tumhare kya

Ujala har taraf hai is kinare us kinare kya”

Dr Shenaz Ganai is an ex-MLC, Jammu and Kashmir