Shun violence, join mainstream India: Modi

Srinagar/Jammu/Leh, May 19: On a day-long Jammu and Kashmir visit to inaugurate developmental projects, two days after the government announced an unconditional Ramadan ceasefire in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked “misguided” Kashmiri youth to join “mainstream” India for a life with dignity.

Amid a separatist called shutdown and protest march and restrictions by authorities in Srinagar, Modi with a message of development and peace wrapped up in the evening his whirlwind trip that took him to all the three regions — Ladakh, Kashmir Valley and Jammu. He inaugurated 330 megawatt Kishenganga power house in Kashmir and a 41.2-km long Ring Road project to decongest Srinagar city, He started work on the Zojila Tunnel to provide an all-weather link to Ladakh and reduce the distance to the cold desert region by three hours from Srinagar.

In Jammu, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones of the Pakul Dul Power Project and the four-lane 58.2-kilometre-long Jammu Ring Road. He also inaugurated the Tarakote Marg and Material Ropeway of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to facilitate pilgrims visiting the shrine. Before flying back home, the Prime Minister attended the Convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in the winter capital. “The mainstream is their family and parents. The mainstream is their participation in the development of the state. Every stone or weapon picked up by misguided youth injures their own. You will have to come out of this atmosphere. Not only for your future but for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. You will have to join the Indian mainstream.”

Invoking the composite culture of Kashmir, Modi said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee always advocated and supported “Kashmiriyat” and “Modi is also the disciple of the same ‘Kashmiriyat’”. He said development was the only solution to all problems of the state and hoped that “time will come soon when Jammu and Kashmir will re-emerge as the crown and coronet of peace and progress for the entire country”.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who shared the dais with the Prime Minister, took a dig at Pakistan for not responding positively to India’s “goodwill gesture” of Ramadan ceasefire that was declared on Thursday. “It takes a large heart and a position of strength to declare the Ramadan ceasefire. You have tried to dress the wounds of our people and I assure you that your positive step will be reciprocated by 10 positive steps by our people,” Mehbooba Mufti said. She said the Prime Minister had the mandate and the stature to solve all the problems of the people in the state, recalling that remedies were in the agenda of alliance between the PDP and the BJP.

Earlier in Ladakh, Modi spoke at the closing ceremony of centenary birth celebrations of the Buddhist spiritual leader, Kashuk Bakula and asked those in Jammu and Kashmir regions to follow people of the cold desert region who have set an example in human endeavour in their urge for progress. “Despite hardships and inaccessibility, Ladakhis have set up an example in endeavouring hardships and yet continuing their march of progress and development.” He said Ladakh today was a far cry from its past when it was known just for three things “totu” (pony) “sottu” (powdered corn) and “patu” (local tweed).

Addressing the 6th convocation of the agricultural university in Jammu, Modi told agricultural scientists and graduating students that “five Ts including training, talent, technology, timely action and trouble free approach” were essential for bringing forward a technological revolution in agriculture. (IANS)