Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, during his visit to Jammu & Kashmir, on Sunday said that despite a brief setback after the Pahalgam terror attack, efforts are being made to ensure tourism in the Valley bounces back stronger, emphasizing that the livelihoods of thousands depend on it.
After attending the Kargil Marathon, Shinde said: “During my visit, I met many people—shopkeepers, hoteliers, pony operators, tourists. Everyone said the same thing: tourism is our lifeline. It is our rozi-roti.”
He said it was heartening to see tourists already returning to the Valley and hoped that this would restore confidence in Kashmir as a preferred travel destination. “Kashmir is like a Nandan Van (heavenly forest), the crown of India. That’s why lakhs of tourists used to visit. The recent terror attack in Pahalgam slowed things down, but we’re here to send a message of hope,” he said.
Before arriving in Srinagar, Shinde flagged off the Kargil Marathon, an annual event jointly organized by Sarhad and the Indian Army. This year marked the 8th edition of the marathon, which he described as an emotional tribute to the Kargil martyrs.
“I was overwhelmed by the participation, youth, girls, senior citizens, everyone was there. The atmosphere was full of patriotism. This marathon isn’t just about running; it’s a form of Shraddhanjali (homage) to our brave soldiers,” Shinde said.
He added that such events give emerging athletes a stage to prepare for national and international platforms. “Many participants have gone on to represent the country. This platform can change lives,” he said.
While visiting the Kargil War Memorial, Shinde handed over a ?3 crore cheque from the Maharashtra government as a contribution towards building infrastructure and developing a laser show for tourists at the memorial site.
“This is our humble contribution. A promise we made earlier, and today we fulfilled it. The laser show will tell the story of bravery and attract more visitors to this place of sacrifice,” he said.
Shinde also praised the ongoing infrastructure development in Jammu & Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We saw the work on tunnels, flyovers, roads, concrete pavements, railways, there’s massive improvement. This kind of connectivity will naturally boost tourism and bring prosperity,” he added.
He said development and peace are interlinked and both must move together in the Union Territory.
Speaking on the ongoing global tensions between Iran and the US, Shinde said, “Our stand is clear. Whether it’s our country or the world, peace must prevail. War benefits no one. Our Prime Minister has always advocated the path of peace, and we hope all conflicts are resolved through dialogue.”(KNS)
