PM arriving on 2-day Kashmir visit today

Srinagar, June 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Kashmir on a two-day visit starting Thursday, culminating in the celebration of the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on the picturesque banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar on Friday morning.

This high-profile event is expected to draw a large gathering of yoga enthusiasts and sportspersons to the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).

Extraordinary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety and success of the event.

“PM Modi will land first at Srinagar Technical Airport on Thursday evening,” a senior official told Greater Kashmir.

He will then board a chopper to Badami Bagh Cantonment, Headquarters of the 15 Corps, before driving to Raj Bhawan for his night stay.

The official said that the visit is solely official, with no scheduled meetings with BJP leaders or other politicians.

“After his arrival PM Modi will attend a function at SKICC,” the official said adding that the venue has already been taken over by SPG.

This will be the PM's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the start of his third term in office. “Arrangements for the programme have been put in place and preparations are underway,” officials here said.

Early Friday morning, PM Modi will attend the Yoga session at SKICC amid the presence of hundreds of yoga enthusiasts and sportspersons.

The session is expected to highlight the global significance of yoga and its benefits for physical and mental health.

The theme of this year's event is 'Yoga for Self and Society', highlighting yoga's role in the development of individual beings and society.

Previously IYD events have been held by PM Modi in Delhi, Chandigarh, Jabalpur, Dehradun, and even the UN Headquarters in New York.

In preparation for the PM’s visit, Srinagar has been placed under a multi-layer security blanket.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have declared the city a ‘temporary red zone’, prohibiting the operation of drones and quadcopters.

This measure is part of an extensive security plan designed to ensure the safety of the event and its attendees.

“Srinagar city has been declared a ‘Temporary Red Zone’ for the operation of drones and quadcopters as per provisions of rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021, with immediate effect. All unauthorised drone operations in the Red Zone are liable to be penalized as per relevant provisions of Drone Rules 2021. As responsible citizens, your cooperation is solicited in this regard,” read a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the Srinagar Police.

The security arrangements for the event have been meticulous.

A week-long sanitisation operation at the SKICC was conducted in secrecy to ensure the highest security standards.

The security forces have left no stone unturned, deploying additional personnel and employing advanced surveillance techniques to maintain vigilance.

This visit marks the PM’s second trip to Kashmir this year, following his visit in February when he addressed a rally at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

In a letter to gram panchayats on June 13, PM Modi reiterated the importance of Yoga, emphasising its global impact.

“Nations across the world are gearing up to celebrate the 10th edition of International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2024. It is a celebration of the impact that Yoga has had on the global community, as well as the positive changes that it has ushered in our lives. The theme of International Day of Yoga this year, 'Yoga for Self and Society' will further strengthen our efforts to build a healthy nation,” he wrote.