Had the appropriate and sagacious decision not taken by the Government to conduct elections for Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen grass root levels, the elected representatives would have not got opportunities to do not only what was required in ordinary course of business but emerge doing something above the average and extraordinary to attract national importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly ”Mann Ki Baat” duly acknowledged the crucial role played by the Panchayats in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and had all praises especially for three among them. He, not only made a mention of the Panchayats but also of their Sarpanchs who had turned adversaries into opportunities during the challenging corona-virus pandemic. Balbir Kaur, the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Treva in Arnia of Jammu district very close to the International border with Pakistan, got a 30 bed Quarantine Centre constructed in her Panchayat. Not only that, proper arrangements for water on roads leading to the Panchayat were made due to the efforts of the Sarpanch. Not stopping at that, the Sarpanch carrying a spray pump on her shoulders embarks upon sanitization of the entire Panchayat and its neighbourhood motivating others to join her in this noble ambition. Innovative approach towards resolution of emerging extra ordinary problems like the one under reference, can be emulated by others too especially when such decisions are taken voluntarily and spontaneously.
Similarly, another illustration of amazing performance, that of the Chauntliwaar in Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley was shared by the Prime Minister in his monthly address to the people and again, while fighting the corona-virus, the Sarpanch Zaitoona Begum decided to take care of the income opportunities of the villagers by providing to them crop seeds and apple saplings to increasingly mitigate any hardships and inconvenience in farming and horticulture activities. She arranged and distributed free masks and free ration among the people in the vicinity. Yet another inspiring prototype, again from Kashmir from Municipal Committee Dooru, Verinag Anantnag came into national limelight via the ”Mann Ki Baat” in which financial constraints did not deter the will and the morale of Mohammad Iqbal, the Municipal President from doing something special but required urgently to fight the pandemic, however, could not arrange Rs.6 lakh for purchasing sanitization sprayer machine. He, through his own efforts designed and made a sprayer machine at a cost of just Rs. 50000. Similarly ,he has innovated a Boom Spray machine with a capacity of 2500 liters costing Rs.50000 while the same machine with a capacity of just 500 liters costs Rs. 5 lakh. These three incredible instances could definitely inspire and motivate many people who would face challenges with fortitude and emerge enviably successful.
How a singular distinct and special variety fruit could transform the economy of an area was pointed out and shared by the Prime Minister on the occasion by referring to the ‘Khoobani’ or apricot locally called ‘chooli’ in Ladakh. The region- Leh Ladakh , the mere mention of which draws images of picturesque valleys, mountain heights and whiffs of fresh air, in its own way was contributing towards making India self reliant. However, uncertainties and inconsistencies in supply chains and vagaries of weather were playing spoilsport but Ladakh keeps facing such challenges. This traditionally grown fruit mostly sold and purchased in dried form was undergoing layers of wastages and deterioration in quality because of subjecting it to drying process in the open exposed to dust, rain and winds etc. A new innovation has , however, been adopted for use through ‘Apricot Dryer and Space Heater’. That was going to make a big difference in its storage, marketing and proceeds of sale.
Since the occasion coincided with the ‘Vijay Diwas’ – the victory in Kargil war of 1999, the PM hailed the spirit of devotion, valour and professionalism of our armed forces during the war and expected people who were otherwise bound by a thread of unity, to speak and act keeping in mind the morale of soldiers. Wars fought were not confined to borders or the ‘battle fields’ only but were fought on many fronts within the country also. The message of the PM at this juncture carries cogent and specific word that when we were confronting corona-virus pandemic, strained economy, a standoff between the Chinese and Indian armed forces on Ladakh borders etc fronts within the country must remain well under control.
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