Let’s light again, the lamp together: LG invokes ‘Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat’ in Independence Day message
Says govt is following Vajpayee’s ideals to transform J&K
Srinagar: Invoking former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat”, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha in his message on the eve of country’s 75th Independence Day said the government is following the same ideals in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Last year, on this pious occasion, I had shared with you the ideals of revered Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji – Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat. By following the path shown by him, we are trying to implement comprehensive and constructive programmes for social equality in Jammu and Kashmir,” LG Sinha said.
He said the grass-root democracy has been strengthened, fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens. “With the spirit of Kashmiriyat i.e. taking along all religions and creeds on development odyssey, we are achieving new milestones.”
He said since the flowers of progress bloom only in the land of love, “our priority is to maintain peace and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir. This soil of ‘Pirwar’ has always taught ‘Wahdat al-Wujud’, the unity of existence. From Shankaracharya temple to Hazratbal, the sound of oneness can be heard today. And Lal Ded’s words describe it beautifully – “Divvata Dehwar Vata, Peth bon chuy eco vath (whether it is worship of Saguna, or devotion to Nirguna, God is one, and is present in every particle),” the LG said.
He said Jammu and Kashmir is bestowed with nature’s valuable gifts. But it is not just geographical beauty, it also has the energy of meditation of Sufi saints, sages, rishis and munis, who have awakened the humanity. The words of Nund Rishi descend from majestic Chinars and Deodars, while the voices of Habba Khatoon and Lalleshwari are heard from the high snow-capped peaks, Sinh said.
He said “the soul of the country is deeply connected with Jammu and Kashmir. From Vitasta to Ganga, from Lal Kila to Lal Chowk, let’s all walk together like co-travellers. This is the true message of 75th Independence Day celebration.”
He also paid tributes to the soldiers of Army, paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police, “who have kept the unity, integrity of India intact with their amazing valor, courage and sacrifice. I am proud that Jammu and Kashmir Police has received 257 gallantry awards including Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra on the eve of Independence Day. I salute all the gallant heroes of Jammu & Kashmir Police. I also salute the family members of the braveheart’s who sacrificed their lives while defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country.”
He said it has been decided that various places and institutions will be christened in the memory of freedom fighters, brave soldiers and personalities from different fields who have made invaluable contribution in the progress of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This will inspire the coming generations to become their worthy successors. I am sure that the stories of those who have made sacrifices for this elixir of freedom will awaken a new and re-energized Jammu and Kashmir.
“The memories of Maqbool Sherwani, Brigadier Rajendra Singh, Deputy SP Ayub Pandit, Mali Begum, Inspector Arshad Khan, Sub Inspector Altaf Ahmed, Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq, Lasa Kaul, Kanta Wazir and that of Sarvanand Kaul Premi, Dinanath Nadim, Constable Yasin Trali, Lt. Umar Fayaz, Mohammad Deen Jagir, Punjab Singh, Padma Sachdev, Mahmuda Shah, Deputy SP Aman Thakur, Deputy SP Manjit Singh and all such people will be revived in the coming days,” the LG said.
Asserting that it was time to “heal the old wounds”, the LG said the administration has decided to constitute a mechanism to provide justice to those families, “whose properties have been illegally bought under pressure, or encroached upon by certain elements. I request all citizens to support the administration in this effort and set a new example of brotherhood for this universe.”
“We want to assure all citizens that whoever is trying to mislead the young people through proxy war, shall be given a befitting reply. The neighboring country, which does not care for its own people, has been making a malicious attempt to instigate some of our youth. I call upon such misguided youngsters, that terrorism is a curse for peace and development. By misguiding you from the path of peace and progress, inimical forces are denying you the life of peace and dignity on this pious soil,” the LG said.
He said in 2019, the Prime Minister had “marked the beginning of a new era” for Jammu and Kashmir. “With your ability, energy and unparalleled patience, Jammu and Kashmir shall have a prosperous future. Carrying forward the four resolutions of the 75th year of independence viz; the power of public participation, the resolve of establishing a new Jammu and Kashmir, providing equal opportunities to all and technological development – we along-with youth of the Union territory can transform the entire Jammu and Kashmir into Shalamar garden once again,” the LG said.
He also said Jammu and Kashmir besides braving two COVID-19 waves has completed 13,357 projects under various schemes last year. “Several steps for public welfare are being taken. Our efforts are guided by the ideals of public participation, accountability, transparency, equitable and inclusive governance.”
Sinha said highest priority has been given to social equity. “The areas which were kept backward since independence are being transformed. The policies that have been implemented on the ground after 2019 have helped the Balmiki Samaj, Adivasis, Gurkha Samaj, daughters of Jammu and Kashmir, West Pakistani Refugees and Backward Classes to finally receive social justice for the first time in the history.”
In order to restore ancient glory and rights of the women of Jammu and Kashmir, countless schemes in the economic, social and educational fields have been launched. “Everyone is being provided opportunities to lead a better life irrespective of religion, caste and class. Infinite doors for socio economic progress of youth have been opened. The achievements of the last one year in the fields of business, education, industry, science, agriculture and natural resources are proving to be a source of inspiration for the whole country,” the LG said.
Sinha also said under the directions of the Prime Minister, hydro projects worth 3400 MW have been approved in just two years. “We will generate the same amount of electricity in the next four to five years that was generated in the last seven decades.”
He said the dilapidated electricity infrastructure is being improved with the help of Prime Minister’s Developmental Package. “If the people in Kashmir Valley were able to witness snowfall and electricity together, the credit goes to the collective efforts made in the last one year,” he said and then went on to talk about various power projects which had faced delays but are being comleted now.
About the changes in the health-care facilities, the LG said the speed and scale at which we have worked in this sector is now visible in terms of achievements.
“Even after 67 years of Independence, there were only three medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. The Hon’ble Prime Minister approved Medical Colleges for Anantnag, Baramulla and Rajouri in March 2016, Kathua and Doda in June 2017, Udhampur in October 2019 and Handwara in November 2019. Overall, the Minister sanctioned seven new Medical Colleges for Jammu and Kashmir between 2016 and 2019, out of which five have become functional. We are in the process of establishing Udhampur and Handwara Medical Colleges.
“For the first time in 2016-17, Jammu and Kashmir got two new AIIMS. The first batch of AIIMS Jammu has already started, and the construction of AIIMS Srinagar shall commence soon. Between 2015 and 2019, two State Cancer Institute’s were sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir. Before 2019, there were only 129 health and wellness centers. In the last two years, 1275 new health and wellness centers have been established.”
The LG also talked about the measures that have been put in place to battle the two waves of COVID pandemic.
Like COVID-19 management, Jammu and Kashmir is leading the country in terms of vaccinating its citizens. “The Union territory has accomplished 100 percent vaccination for the age group of 45 years, 37 percent for the age group of 18 to 44 years which is much higher than the national average,” he said.
Sinha also talked about various other developmental initiatives that have ensured better civic ameneties to the people of the UT.
He lso talked about how democracy has been strengthened through successful elections to put in place the three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions, also also through public participation or ‘Jan-Bhageedari’ in developmental programmes.
“It is our resolve to transform Jammu and Kashmir. Our young boys and girls shall be the makers of this new Jammu and Kashmir. At least 10 lakh job opportunities shall be made available to them in this decade,”the LG said while also talking about creating a culture of entrepreneurship among the young people.
He also talked about employment schemes like Hausla, Himayat, Mumkin, Parwaz, Umeed, Tejaswini and Sankalp.
“JKBEAMS and GFR have been fully implemented in government works to ensure transparency and accountability. No work in Union territory is allotted without tendering.
“Earlier during the Darbar Move, 200 trucks loaded with official files used to shuttle from Jammu to Srinagar and from Srinagar to Jammu and in the process some important files would also be lost. Now with the introduction of e-office in both the Secretariat(s), red tape has been curbed and there has been a fundamental improvement in efficiency and governance. Digitization of 44 villages has been done,” the LG said.
“It is written in the Bhagavad Gita – ‘Yato Dharmah Tato Jayah’, that is, where there is dharma, there is good governance, there is order and victory. With this spirit, we have shifted from the policy of announcements to the policy of implementation on the ground.
“Before 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was deprived of the benefits of industrial revolution. But now we are determined to ensure Ease of Doing Business with Ease of Living. The recently announced New Industrial Scheme of Rs 28,400 crores by the government is already attracting huge investments. So far, proposals worth Rs 23,500 crores have been received. Investment proposals of Rs 35,000 crore by December 2021 and Rs 50,000 crore by March 2022 are expected to follow, which shall provide employment opportunities to at least 10 lakh young boys and girls,” the LG said.
He also said Jammu and Srinagar cities are being transformed into smart cities. Work has already started on beautification of Jhelum and Tawi river front. Integrated action plan for cleaning of Dal, Jhelum and Wular is being finalized. The much awaited Light Rail Metro work will commence this year in both Jammu and Srinagar at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy and allied sectors in J&K are witnessing much-needed change since the last two years. “The income of Saffron farmers in Jammu and Kashmir has doubled even before the deadline of 2022. NAFED will now sell Saffron all over the country at its outlets, which will directly benefit our farmers. Many schemes have started in the agriculture and allied sectors, which will directly benefit the farmers.”
To empower the tribal community, the Forest Rights Act is being implemented for the first time in Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
An agreement has been reached between the Higher Education Department and Tata Technology for setting up 14 Centers for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training. Two CIIITs have started functioning at Jammu and Baramulla. Rs 200 crores will be spent on skill development in colleges this year, Sinha said, adding that inclusion of subjects like Artificial Intelligence, 3D Machines, Data Analysis, Biotechnology etc. will create skilled professionals in Jammu and Kashmir. To promote research in higher education, 19 Research Centers and 13 Innovation Centers have been set up in 13 colleges.
“We have executed resilience-based policies for the tourism sector. I am proud to say that sustained government intervention has helped in resetting this sector, which is showing the sign of growth. Ten lakh fifty thousand tourists while following strict COVID protocol visited Jammu and Kashmir in the month of July. Efforts are being made on the ground to preserve and promote all the unexplored locations of the UT and its cultural heritage,” the LG said.
He said the Film Policy of Jammu and Kashmir has been launched on 5th of this month. “The past identity and glory of Jammu and Kashmir in the cinema will be restored. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme was launched in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir from July 2020. During the second wave of COVID, about 2 lakh metric tonnes of food grains were distributed to poor families in May and June.”
He also reiterated that government is committed to ensure dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits. “We have made considerable progress in fulfilling the promise of providing 6000 transit accommodation and providing 6000 jobs to the Kashmiri migrant community under the Prime Minister’s Development Package.
“The construction of 849 transit accommodation has been completed and the work on 1376 is under way. Transfer of 278 kanals of land has been approved for 2744 additional flats last month only. Out of the second installment of 3000 posts, 841 posts have already been filled. On the eve of Independence Day, we have declared the result of 997 posts. I congratulate all the successful candidates. The result for additional 1000 posts will be notified within a month following the verification process.”
About the major administrative reforms, he said the government has resolved the seniority dispute of JKAS officers pending for a decade. For decades JKAS and JKPS cadre officers were waiting for induction into IAS and IPS, that wait is over now. “For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, recruitments in government jobs are being made in a transparent and fair manner. Exams were conducted to fill 12,000 vacant posts of Panchayat Account Assistants and Class 4th within just 6 months, which is a record in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“It is our goal to make Jammu and Kashmir synonymous with success. The next 25 years of Jammu and Kashmir awaiting us with a new ray of hope and a fresh resolution for a new future.”
The LG concludes his message with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem ‘Aao phir se diya jalayen’ — Let’s light again, the lamp together….
