Prime Minister NarendraModi said on Sunday that those trying to spread hate and obstruct development works in Kashmir will never succeed.
In his monthly ‘Mann kibaat’ broadcast, he said the”Back to village” programme held in June in Jammu and Kashmir sawenthusiastic participation of villagers everywhere, including in very sensitiveand remote villages, as government officials reached there to discussdevelopment schemes with locals.
“It shows how keen people of Kashmir are to joinmainstream of development… Such programmes and people’s participation in themshow that people of Kashmir want good governance. This also proves the dictumthat the power of development is stronger than the might of bullets andbombs,” he said.
“It is clear that those who wish to spread hatred enroute to development, pose hurdles will never succeed in their sinisterplans,” he added.
For the first time, the Prime Minister said, seniorofficials reached the doorsteps of villagers across 4,500 panchayats.
Appreciating the officers of the state administration forsuccessfully organising the first of its kind public reach-out program, PM Modisaid, “When I got to know about ‘Back To Village’ program at length, I feltthat the entire nation should get to know about this program,”.
“This was a one of a kind programme where the publicdirectly entered into a dialogue with the Government. The people of Kashmir are eager to join thenational mainstream. Their enthusiasm is reflected in the mechanism of thisprogram,” PM Modi said.
The week-long programmeorganised by the J&Kadministration saw over 4500 officers of the state administration reaching outto 4500 panchayats across the state where the villagers were briefed about theschemes implemented by the State and Centre.
“For the first time, senior officials reached the villages,directly, even those officials who had never visited a village were availableto the villagers at their doorsteps, to judge for themselves to gauge theobstacles in the path of progress and to remove the hurdles,” the PM said.
During the program, modalities were also discussed toincrease the income of villagers through interventions by panchayats, improvinghealthcare and hygiene, developmental works, water conservation and girleducation among other issues were discussed during extensive deliberations.
“This program was not a mere government formality thatofficials roam around the village and return to base. Instead, officials spenttwo days and a night at the panchayat, enabling them to spend time in thevillage and meet almost every denizen of the village and to reach across toevery establishment in the village,” the PM said.
He appreciated the state administration for making theprogram inclusive by organising competitions where sports kits, MNREGA jobcards and SC/ST certificates were distributed.
“There were Financial Literacy camps and Agriculture andHorticulture Department set up stalls where knowledge about govt. schemes wasdisseminated. In this manner, this program became a festival celebratingdevelopment, a festival of people’s participation and a festival of people’sawakening!,” he said.
The PM lauded the in-charge officers of Panchayats nominatedby the state administration for reaching out to remote villages, border areasand even sensitive villages in the districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam andAnantnag without any fear.
“The Gram Sabhas, wherein people chalked out schemes forthemselves is something that is an extremely pleasant experience. A newresolve, a new fervor and grand results. Programs like these and people’sparticipation or stake holding indicates that our brothers and sisters inKashmir want good Governance and proves the dictum that the power ofdevelopment is stronger than the might of bullets and bombs,” PM said.
These officials also reached villages on border which liveunder the shadow of cross-border firing, he said, adding that they also visitedsensitive villages in the districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag-districts which have seen heightened militant activity of late, without anyfear.
PM Modi also noted that over 3 lakh pilgrims completed theAmarnathyatra since July 1 and said it has already outnumbered the number ofdevotees during 60 days in 2015. “I would especially like to thank thehospitality of the people of Jammu- Kashmir for successful organization ofAmarnathYatra. Those who return after performing this pilgrimage become imbuedwith the feelings of warmth and kinship displayed by the people of the stateand it will boost tourism in J&K, ” he said.
In the Chardhamyatra in Uttarakhand too, large numbers oftourists have visited holy sites, he said, adding that over eight lakh devoteeshad visited Kedarnath shrine, a record number post the massive 2013 floods thathad devastated the region.
In his 25-minute address, PM Modi asked people to celebrateAugust 15 with special preparations and find out new ways to observeIndependence Day with greater participation of masses.
“You must ponder over the fact how 15th August could becelebrated as a folk-festival and also as a people’s festival,” he said.
Speaking of floods in different parts, he said the Centre intandem with state governments is working at a “lightning pace” toprovide people relief and succour.
The issue of water conservation has stirred the nation, hesaid, and lauded the Meghalaya government to frame a water policy and theHaryana government for encouraging farmers to shift to cultivating crops thatneed less water.