SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi unveiled a series of development initiatives surpassing ₹6,400 crore during the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ event at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. This marks Modi’s first visit to the Kashmir valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Addressing a public rally, Modi said that he was “elated to be amongst the wonderful people of Srinagar… dil jeetne aaya hun…( I have come to win hearts…).”
While speaking at the Bakshi stadium, Modi stated, “Development projects being dedicated today will boost the development of Jammu and Kashmir. A developed Jammu and Kashmir priority for developed India.”
He further mentioned that there was an era when the people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of benefits. “There was an era when law implemented in other parts of the country could not be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, when schemes for the welfare of the poor were implemented across the country, but our brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of the benefits. See now, how the times have changed.”
He also highlighted the developmental projects in the region. “Today, I got the opportunity to inaugurate several development projects related to tourism (…)Jammu and Kashmir is not just a region; it is the forehead of India. Viksit Jammu and Kashmir is the priority of Viksit Bharat,” he said.