‘No better place for shooting than Kashmir’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 22: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Kashmir has undergone transformation and there are no takers for the strike calls given by Islamabad as people have moved on.
The Minister while addressing the delegates from G20 countries at a side event on “Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation” said that there has been a sea change in Kashmir.
“This change has happened. Common people on the streets of Srinagar want to move on. They have lost two generations (due to militancy),” he said.
While referring to the G20 Tourism Group meet being held here in Srinagar, Singh said: “If such an event was held earlier, a strike call would be given from Islamabad and shops on Residency Road (in the city centre of) Srinagar would close. Now there is no hartal even if the call for hartal has come from here or there.” Click here to watch video
Singh told reporters that there has been set back to the development and progress of Kashmir after 1990. “I believe that Kashmir had the potential to become another Hyderabad. The Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) was established to host international conferences. Two generations have been affected by terror, but the younger generation has realized the importance of not wasting their energy and youthful years on it. Kashmir is an integral part of PM Modi’s vision for progress,” he said.
“Tomorrow, we will have the inaugural session here, followed by the Working Group session, bilateral meetings, and one-to-one discussions. The world is changing and the challenges it poses are also changing. Today the world is ready to be led by India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Since 1947, Pakistan has refused to accept that J&K is an inseparable part of India and has made various attempts to challenge it. It would be wise to ask the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) who, deep down, desire to be a part of India,” he said.
Later addressing a press conference, the Minister said that holding of G20 meeting in Srinagar is an achievement in itself.
“I am sure that the delegates coming from other places would be able to falsify the kind of narrative and perception which was created either by the vested interests on the one hand or some self-styled cynics, and commentators on the other,” he said.
“I thank PM Narendra Modi for choosing Srinagar for the G20 event along with other cities of the country,” he added.
Singh said that Jammu and Kashmir has moved on and so has the common man here for last few years and wants to be part of the developmental process of the PM.
“I would say that the common man walking on the streets of Srinagar wants to be a part of the development journey led by PM Modi. Let’s not forget that the youth of J&K are highly aspirational, highly forward-looking, and well-informed. They do not want to miss the bus of development and progress. India is now a part of the global journey, and the youth of J&K do not want to miss it,” he said.
The Minister said that there is no better place across the world for film shooting than Kashmir. “It would prove to be a cost-effective shooting spot, and that needs to be showcased. It is a win-win situation for filmmaking when it comes to Kashmir. Kashmir is not only ready to be a part of the global journey led by PM Modi, but Kashmir is going to be the most cost-effective and profitable film destination in its totality and finality,” he said.
“The format of the G20 event is the same as it was in other 60 cities, which speaks of mainstream activity happening in J&K. We have awakened under PM Modi to accept global challenges and live up to global benchmarks, and our growth has to be global and J&K is very much a part of it,” he told the reporters.
In his address at “Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation”, Singh hoped that the delegates would become Kashmir’s ambassadors and highlight the positive situation in the Valley.
“I hope that when our friends go back, they will be our ambassadors…About the situation here and how it appears,” he added.
The Minister said yesteryear star Shammi Kapoor not only became a star out of Kashmir but also promoted the destination as well.
“Dus Lakh (1996 movie) was entirely shot in the hotel which was known as Oberoi. Many songs were shot here. Movies became a huge source of revenue and vocation (in Kashmir) till 1990 (when militancy erupted in the Valley),” he said.
Singh said popular filmmaker Raj Kapoor experimented with shooting in Europe for his movie “Sangam”, but when he returned, “he chose to shoot in Kashmir”.
He said the Valley is attracting filmmakers once again.
Singh said that while Kashmir has benefited from Bollywood, it has also contributed to the film industry.
The first star of Bombay was from Jammu and Kashmir – K L Saigal, singer and actor.
He said the Valley offers everything for shooting of films.
“We hope that it will be a two-way traffic with our boys and girls getting opportunities in the film industry as well,” he added.
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