Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 7: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today hosted a luncheon get-together for a group of 90 students from Samba and Bandipora districts of Jammu & Kashmir.
During a one-hour informal interaction, the students engaged in a free-frank exchange of ideas and also offered their opinions on diverse subjects ranging from the development issues of their respective areas to some of the political issues currently being debated.
The students from Samba were quite inquisitive to know from Dr Jitendra Singh, the details about the recently cleared landmark projects of Ujh Multipurpose and Shahpur Kandi. They said, the area was faced with perpetual shortage of water, particularly during the summer months and therefore, they keenly looked forward to a permanent remedy. The Minister informed them that both these projects had been held up for several decades, but during the Modi regime, it was possible to carry them forward and get them cleared because of the positive approach of the Centre. He said, these projects may take a few years to become functional, but after that, the entire area will get, in abundance, the benefit of irrigation, power supply and drinking water. “Kandi” will then no longer be known as “Kandi”, he added.
The students were also quite excited about setting up of AIIMS, IIM and IIT in the Jammu region and an Engineering College as well as a Medical College coming up in nearby Kathua within a short span of three years. Dr Jitendra Singh informed them that the upcoming first Bio-tech Park of North India is also located at a place which is somewhere between Samba and Kathua.
The students from Bandipora complained of lack of staff in the Degree College and poor road conditions. Dr Jitendra Singh assured them that he would take this up with the State Administration and also convey their inputs to their local Member of Parliament, Muzaffar Baig.
Dr Jitendra Singh suggested to the students from Bandipora that they should go back and motivate all their friends and peers in the Kashmir Valley to make the best use of the new avenues and opportunities being made available for the youth by the Modi Government. He referred to the example of “Kashmir Super 30” initiative in the Valley, supported by Indian Army, to provide free coaching to students who cannot afford it. He expressed happiness that around 35 students from this group had qualified in the recently held IIT-JEE All India Entrance Exam and it was a delight for him to have invited them to the national capital recently for an interaction on the same lines as was being held today.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the youngsters, who are still in their teens and are quite innocent, can take a lead in bringing about national integration because they are not affected by the vested interests which might influence in the later age.
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