Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, June 9: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth today said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented peace, development and infrastructure growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the last 12 years, asserting that the transformation of the Union Territory has been remarkable.
Speaking during his visit to the under-construction AIIMS Awantipora, Seth said the last 12 years under Prime Minister Modi have been exceptional for both the country and J&K, with significant strides made in development, infrastructure and peace.
“I have been coming to Kashmir for decades. The first time I came here was in 1970 when I was a school student. The Kashmir of then and the Kashmir of today are as different as the sky and the earth,” he said.
Seth said Prime Minister Modi has changed the destiny of the country and ensured sustained progress and peace in J&K.
He noted that the Prime Minister has visited the Union Territory around 30 times during the last 12 years, reflecting his commitment towards the region’s development.
Seth made the remarks after inspecting the ongoing construction and development works at AIIMS Awantipora.
He described the premier healthcare institution as a gift from Prime Minister Modi to the people of Kashmir.
“People of J&K will no longer have to travel outside the Union Territory for treatment at AIIMS. This facility has been ensured here by Prime Minister Modi,” he said.
Highlighting economic growth and employment opportunities, Seth said tourism, sports and traditional industries have witnessed significant growth in J&K.
He said the region’s bat manufacturing industry has emerged as a major success story, with nearly 30 lakh cricket bats being produced annually and exported to countries including Australia, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.
He also pointed to the revival of film-making activities in the Valley, stating that nearly 400 movies, web series and other productions were shot in Kashmir last year.
“Kashmir is heaven. People of J&K are thanking Prime Minister Modi for the development taking place here. Tourism has increased substantially and more than one crore visitors have come to J&K. The Prime Minister encourages people to visit Kashmir and the Northeast, reinforcing the idea that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one,” he said.
On Pakistan-sponsored narco-terrorism and the preparedness of security forces, Seth said there was no need for concern as the Centre was closely monitoring the situation.
“Do not worry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are keeping a keen eye on everything. There will be no lapses of any sort,” he said.
Seth also said that the Government has undertaken several initiatives to promote J&K’s bat industry and strengthen employment opportunities associated with the sector.
Seth was accorded a warm welcome by BJP leaders and workers during the visit, with party workers raising slogans of “Shukriya Modi”.
Among those present on the occasion were BJP J&K President Sat Sharma, General Secretary Anwar Khan, party spokesperson Altaf Thakur and several other BJP leaders.
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