Pride for J&K: Kulgam, Kupwara bag PM’s excellence award

Srinagar, Apr 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the 17th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where he lauded India’s civil servants for their pivotal role in shaping a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and presented the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.

Several IAS officers who received awards expressed their gratitude and shared how their work aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision.

Athar Aamir Khan, District Magistrate of Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir, said, “It’s a great honour to receive this award from PM Modi. His encouragement has inspired us. Under his vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, schemes like PM Mudra Yojana are empowering youth across the country.”

In a post on X, Athar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for receiving the award on behalf of the district Kulgam. He expressed thanks to his predecessor Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (currently Deputy Commissioner Srinagar) and other officers and citizens of Kulgam for their immense support and cooperation in development of the district.

“Thank you so much sir. It was a huge  honour to receive the award on behalf of the District #Kulgam. This is on behalf of the whole team especially my predecessor Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat Sb, and ADDCs Showkat Sb, Bashir Sb, Altaf Sb , ADC Viqar Sb, ACDs Naseer Sb, Imran Sb, ACRs Imtiyaz Sb, Mushtaq Sb, Reyaz Sb,ACP Surjeel Sb, Nazia Ji, CEOs Yusuf sb, Iqbal sb, Shabir Sb, CPO Zahid Sb, GM DIC Bashir Sb, CMOs Dr Rafiq, Dr Saba, Dr Showkat, DPO ICDS Das Sb, CAO Ravinder Sb, DAO Reyaz Sb, CHO Liaqat Sb, Ramzan Sb,  XENs R&B Shabir Sb, Gh Mohd Sb, XENs Jal Shakti, Nawaz Sb, DeshRaj Ji, all District Officers, all Tehsildars, all Block and GP level officers and above all the citizens of Kulgam whose support and cooperation in development of the District is unparalleled!,” he said in a post on X.

In a post on X,  former DC Kulgam Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, who is currently as the DC Srinagar said: “I am happy to witness Team Kulgam receiving PM award for excellence in Public administration for the year 2023. This recognition goes to people of Kulgam who chose to accept holistic development , officers & staff who chose to work sincerely for people and to incumbent DC Athar Aamir Khan who projected the work done from many years especially 2023 meticulously before the Award committee. Public service is love for service towards the public & all about dedicating one’s life to this noble cause. All this manifested in today's CSD Honourable  Prime Minister’s speech with Viksit Bharat 2047 as the central  goal.”

I am happy to witness Team kulgam receiving PM award for excellence in Public administration for the year 2023. This recognition goes to people of Kulgam who chose to accept holistic development , officers & staff who chose to work sincerely for people and to incumbent DC… pic.twitter.com/ri3IFSSbD3

— Dr Bilal M Bhat IAS (@DrBilalbhatIAS) April 21, 2025

Ayushi Sudan, IAS from Kupwara, J&K, emphasised the importance of capacity building and technology.

“First of all, I am grateful to the Prime Minister for bestowing us with this award. Definitely, capacity building is important at every stage, at the beginning, middle and the end of the birth of a career. We’ve developed over 300 smart classrooms, robotics and innovation labs to improve education. Using trackers and monitoring tools, we aim to ensure better governance at the grassroots.”