Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power can snatch it Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that “our neighbor” won’t be allowed to succeed in its nefarious designs and turbulent times of the past will never return.
Addressing NITI Aayog’s workshop at IIM Jammu LG Sinha said, “J&K is an inseparable part of India, and no one can take it away. Our future is with India, and together, we will continue to progress.”
In an apparent reference to Pakistan, LG Sinha said, “Our neighbor continues to make efforts, and sometimes, a few individuals fall into its trap. However, it is important to send a clear message these nefarious designs will not succeed. The turbulent times of the past will never return.”
“The current state of our neighbor speaks volumes about its own plight. J&K’s future is firmly tied to the nation’s progress and development.”
Referring to the role of common people in maintaining peace, LG Sinha said, “To maintain peace is not only the responsibility of the police and security forces. People have an important role to play as peace cannot sustain without their support. More than anyone else, it is the common people who benefit the most from peace, as their future, business, and development are tied to it.”
He called on the people to assist security forces in ensuring stability in the region, adding that adversarial attempts to disrupt harmony would not succeed. “Business, tourism, and overall development are intrinsically linked to stability in Jammu and Kashmir. Peace and development are interlinked,” he added.
Highlighting the rapid economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir, LG Sinha stated that the region has witnessed remarkable progress in entrepreneurship. “Jammu and Kashmir should be known for its entrepreneurs, not troublemakers,” he said adding, “J&K has achieved a remarkable feat. It has become the first region in the country since independence to utilize the incentive, announced for 10-years, within 2.5 years.”
LG Sinha said that J&K has emerged as the first union territory in the country to implement 97% of the Ease of Doing Business reforms, significantly boosting investment and economic opportunities.
He said that the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant growth, with an increasing number of tourists visiting the region. “With more tourists coming in, we need improved connectivity. The train between Jammu and Kashmir will start chugging soon, and according to the Chief Secretary, it is expected to commence operations in April,” LG Sinha announced.
He also urged the private sector to step forward and invest in tourism infrastructure, as government initiatives alone would not be sufficient to provide world-class facilities. “The hotel industry has already seen an investment of more than Rs 40,000 crore. The number of stakeholders in peace has increased, and their role is vital in sustaining progress.”—(KNO)
