On March 7, Prime Minister Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir after a hiatus of five years. His visit has reignited discussions about Kashmir’s development, political dynamics, and the impact of government policies. He visited Kashmir 5 years ago on February 3, 2019, before the Lok Sabha polls. This time, he inaugurated several developmental initiatives, including one dedicated to the Hazratbal shrine, as part of his efforts to rally support for the BJP in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While inaugurating these initiatives, PM Modi said, “Viksit Jammu and Kashmir is the priority of Viksit Bharat”. Jammu and Kashmir is not only a region, but the forehead of India.
Speaking at a gathering in the famous Bakshi Stadium of Srinagar, Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about the future success of Jammu and Kashmir, envisioning it as a global focal point. He noted the prevalence of lotuses in the lakes of the region and highlighted the coincidence that the lotus is not only the symbol of the BJP; It is also found in the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association’s logo. The Prime Minister pondered whether this connection between the BJP’s symbol and the lotus’s presence in Jammu & Kashmir is a nature-inspired sign or a mere coincidence.
Building a developed Jammu and Kashmir will come up from here. He said this is not just a region, but the forehead of India. “Viksit J&K Viksit Bharat is the priority.”. During his speech, PM Modi thanked people who came to the stadium and those who joined virtually due to space shortage. Addressing the people as “Modi ka parivar,” he launched the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth Rs 5000 crore which aims to provide skill development to about 2.5 lakh farmers through the Daksh Kisan online portal. He also added that “Wed in India” is his next mission.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kashmir after a long period of five years serves as a significant milestone for the region. A comprehensive analysis of the changes within this period requires a significant examination of development initiatives, security dynamics, social and cultural dimensions, and how the public perceives it. On the occasion of Maha Shiv Ratri and Ramdan, PM Modi greeted people the same.
A young artist, Imran Aziz, composed a song for PM, “Modi aayenge, Modi aayenge, Kamal khilayenge, ‘jhanda leharayenge”.
As the region navigates the complexities of its development journey, it becomes essential to consider the multifaceted nature of change and its impact on the lives of the people. A holistic understanding of the dynamics in Kashmir is important to have a better understanding and take part in discussions, policy refinements, and collective vision for a prosperous and harmonious future of the state.
