Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Kashmir Administrative Service examination topper Anjum Bashir Khan Khattak for not giving in to circumstances and “emerging as a fighter and inspiration for youth” of Jammu and Kashmir.
Recounting story of Anjum, Modi said: “He actually extricated himself from the sting of militancy and hatred and topped in the KAS examination. You will be surprised to know that militants had set his ancestral home on fire in 1990.”
Modi was addressing people through his radio-talk ‘Mann Ki Baat.’
“Militancy and violence were so widespread there that his family had to leave their ancestral land and flee. For a young child, such an atmosphere of violence could easily create darkness and bitterness in heart, but Anjum did not let it be so and he never gave up hope. He chose a different path, a path of serving the people,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi also recalled his meeting with young girls from J&K. “I was amazed at the spirit that they had, the enthusiasm that was there in their hearts and the dreams they nurtured.”
Meanwhile, Anjum called the praise to him from Modi as a “huge inspiration to work for the development and progress of the society.””First of all I am grateful to the Prime Minister for mentioning me in today’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. I will surely get huge inspiration from his statement to work for the development and progress of the society. I did not believe it when I was told that he named me today,” he said.
He asked the youth to explore their potential and contribute towards peace and development. “I want the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to not take part in negative activities like violence, drug addiction or terrorism. I am always there to help all those aspirants who are preparing for competitive exams. One should always remain positive in his life. The talent of the youth should be utilised in a positive manner,” he said, adding: “I am highly motivated after PM’s words. After all he is the executive head of our nation.”