Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 13: Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today said Kashmir -where it was difficult to hoist tricolour earlier is now witnessing tiranga rallies in every nook and corner.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a grand tiranga rally led by him here today in connection with Har Ghar tiranga Abhiyan of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said there has been a sea change in Kashmir since the PM Modi took over in 2014.
Referring to the Tiranga rallies sweeping the country, Dr Jitendra Singh said this programme is running for the last four years. “It is the result of Modi’s vision and thought process. Such events are organised in every corner of the country ahead of Independence Day. This is the fourth time that this is being held,” he said.
The Union Minister added that these rallies are creating a festival-like atmosphere across India.
He said yesterday a grand rally was held in Delhi while another grand rally was organised in Srinagar in Kashmir valley and people who are witness to earlier days know that it was very difficult to hoist the tricolour in Kashmir that time.
Praising the Prime Minister’s efforts in ensuring peace and normalcy in the region, he said in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir such rallies are being taken out now.
Drawing a comparison between the past and the present, Singh said, “There was a time when a massive campaign had to be organised just to hoist the National Flag and it required a great deal of struggle. There was also a time when Prime Minister, Narendra Modi himself risked his life to go to Lal Chowk to hoist the flag. The incident at that time was such a big event that it was discussed all over the country.”
Dr Jitendra Singh gave credit to the Prime Minister for the use of technology in the defence sector and safeguarding the country, and said Operation Sindoor provided an opportunity to put this technology into use successfully.
Drawing a contrast between the time when Modi himself risked his life to go to Srinagar’s Lal Chowk to hoist the National Flag and today, Singh said every hand in the Valley now holds the tricolour.
Replying to a reporter’s question on Pakistan repeatedly resorting to threats, he said, “There is not much need for me to comment on this as the Ministry of External Affairs will take cognisance of it.”
Dr Jitendra Singh, referred to Operation Sindoor as India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Attributing the Operation’s success to technology, the Union Minister said, “Whatever achievements came from Operation Sindoor were the result of the technology that has been adopted in the last 10 years.”
He said the use of this technology began after Modi came to power. “Under the core principle of an indigenous and self-reliant India, it was inducted into the country. Operation Sindoor also provided an opportunity to put this technology into use successfully,” he said.
It may be recalled that Modi took out the Ekta Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir in 1991 despite terror threats and unfurled the tricolour at Lal Chowk.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Kathua is the land of martyrs and it was 10 kilometres from this place where from the former Jan Sangh president, Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee was arrested for demanding abolition of permit system and launched the struggle for abrogation of controversial Article 370.
He said Kathua has championed that nationalist movement and it is a land of warriors and martyrs who inspired entire country with their valour and sacrifices.
Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh led a grand tiranga bike rally in the town. Hundreds of party activists with tricolurs in their hands participated in the rally which started from Kali Bari and culminated at Bhagat Singh Chowk, Kathua. The enthusiastic party activists were chanting ‘Vande Matram’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Narendra Modi Zindabad’ enroute.
The prominent BJP leaders who participated in the rally were MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia, Dr Bharat Bushan, Col (retd) Mahan Singh, DDC Chairman, Raghunandan Singh Babloo, DDC vice chairman, senior BJP leader, Prem Nath Dogra and others.
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