‘Verdict will create new enthusiasm among people’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said the Supreme Court decision upholding the abrogation of Article 370 that granted special status to erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir would boost the efforts of the Centre and Union Territory administration to take J&K to new heights of development and provide justice to the deprived sections.
He said the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a ‘New J&K’ on August 5, 2019, and the SC judgment has brought a new hope among the people and will further strengthen the roots of unity and integrity of the nation.
“The Supreme Court has given its verdict (on Article 370) yesterday and made it clear that the resolution passed by the Parliament (in August 2019) for the benefit of the people of J&K was completely Constitutional. I welcome the judgment which is bound to further strengthen the roots of unity and integrity of the nation,” Sinha said, addressing a function organised to pay tribute to Zorawar Singh, a military General of Dogra Rajput ruler Gulab Singh who achieved martyrdom on this day in 1842.
The SC decision will ensure social justice and Constitutional rights to the deprived sections and boost the efforts of the government to achieve its goal of a ‘new J&K’ and take it to new heights of development, he said.
Sinha said the decision will create a new enthusiasm among the people and further the efforts of economic and social development of Jammu and Kashmir as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who released the people from the clutches that was Article 370.
“After the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre in 2019, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a positive change… Now strike calendars are not issued by our neighbouring country and stone-pelting has become a history,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The LG said people are enjoying the fruits of normalcy with the return of nightlife and cinemas in the Valley where new dreams and new lifestyles have taken birth.
“Jammu and Kashmir is now known as a tourism hotspot rather than being infamous for terrorism. Last year a record number of 1.88 crore tourists visited the region and by November this year, the footfall had already crossed the two crore mark,” Sinha said.
Sinha announced the decision of the Government to set up a Chair in the memory of General Zorawar Singh in University of Jammu. The endeavour will inspire students and researchers to build a strong, prosperous J&K which was dreamt of by General Zorawar Singh, he said.
The Lt Governor attended the commemorative event organized by General Zorawar Singh Memorial Educational and Charitable Trust, and J&K Ex-Services League and lauded their efforts to highlight the contribution of General Zorawar Singh in India’s history.
He reiterated the resolve of the UT Administration to honour the valour and sacrifice of immortal heroes of J&K.
“History of great personalities like General Zorawar Singh, Brig Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani will be taught to the students in schools of J&K. Their life, courage, conquest is a lesson about patriotism, discipline, self-confidence and it will inspire students to achieve the goal of making India a developed nation,” the Lt Governor said.
He directed the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to prepare a monograph on the life of General Zorawar Singh in Tamil Language.
“It is the duty of every citizen to uphold and protect the unity and integrity of the nation. Young generation must strive to become worthy heirs of great leaders who struggled and sacrificed to build a new destiny of the country. With those ideals, values and civilizational strength we should focus on building a brighter future”, Sinha said.
Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (Retd.), Lt Gen RK Sharma (Retd.) and Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak, former Minister also spoke on the occasion.
SP Varma, president Gandhi Global Family; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor Jammu University; Sh Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Anand Jain, IGP Jammu; Devinder Singh Kaluria, Chairman General Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust and Trustees Riya Kaluria and Diksha Kaluria; prominent citizens and students in large number were present.
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