Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 11: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today said he offered special prayers for peace, love, and brotherhood during his visit to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Abdullah described the launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra as a “historic moment” that will boost tourism, trade, and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at Nowgam railway station after returning from Katra on the newly launched train, the NC chief said he had offered prayers for peace, love, and brotherhood during his overnight stay at the sanctum sanctorum. “I prayed for peace, love, and brotherhood in Kashmir. Peace is the most important thing,” he said.
Sharing his travel experience, he added, “It was a very good journey, and you can already see tourists arriving. This rail is a great blessing. It will increase tourism, strengthen our businesses, help transport our fruit produce, and allow our people to travel more easily to other parts of India.”
Calling the service the realization of a long-cherished dream, Abdullah said, “It is a big dream that I saw in my life. This is a great moment in Kashmir’s history.”
Abdullah was accompanied on the journey by his grandsons Zamir and Zahid, Jammu and Kashmir Minister Satish Sharma, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, and several National Conference legislators, including chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary, who was also present at Nowgam railway station, hailed the launch as a historic milestone. “We are fortunate that the wishes of our elders have been fulfilled. The train started in Jammu and Kashmir and reached Srinagar. We pray that it will soon extend to other regions as well,” he said.
Chowdhary said the train would spur development and generate employment opportunities for youth. “With this train, we hope Jammu and Kashmir will progress and reach the heights we could not achieve in the past 75 years. It will strengthen local industries, especially tourism,” he added.
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