SRINAGAR: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said that with emerging start-ups

on the back of the initiatives of Prime Minister, the youth can look forward to a brighter future.

The Union Minister said this while inaugurating a 5-day Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme (ICOP) Organised by the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, Government of India at SP Higher Secondary School Srinagar on Monday.

Jitendra Singh said that earlier he was under the impression that the country has failed its youth but now with emerging start-ups on the back of the initiatives of Prime Minister, the youth can look forward to a bright future.

Dr Singh said that prior to 2014, India was looked upon as a land of scams and corruption which had a deleterious effect on people especially the youth.

He said that with his dynamic and visionary leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken
India out of despondency and the whole world is ready to work under the leadership of India.

He added that PM Modi has been a transformational figure in turning this pessimism to optimism and making India stand brightly among comity of nations.

Dr Singh said that during the 9 years of the present government, the benefits that have been given to citizens have not been based on race, religion, caste, colour or political affiliation.

The Minister said that PM Modi has changed the mindsets of people and that facilities are available for all and not only for those who vote.

Talking about various schemes for social upliftment, he said that initiatives like LPG distribution and construction of toilets have led to a social transformation in rural areas.

Dr Singh said that a true tribute to the leadership of PM Modi would be to take benefit of the schemes that have been designed by GoI for overall development of all citizen groups.

The Minister said that society cannot progress unless progress of women is ensured at all levels.
He recalled a time when women had to go to forests in the dark of the night to relieve themselves.

Talking about the J&K, Jitendra Singh said that the youth here are very intelligent and talented and are no less than any other from other parts of the country.

He said that given an opportunity, the youth of J&K will show their true potential in whichever field they choose.

Making a mention of Aroma Mission, the Minister said that 3000 youth are associated with lavender cultivation at the moment by taking benefit from various schemes like MUDRA Yojna.

The Minister also took stock of an exhibition put up by the Agriculture Department. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said that there were no takers of strike calls now in Kashmir. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting being held at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre Srinagar, Singh said that “earlier strike calls were being given from the soil of Pakistan and shops were being closed in Srinagar on such occasions' '.

He said today people are carrying on their lives despite calls being given for strikes from that soil.
“The mindset of a common man in Kashmir valley has changed and false narrative has been corrected”, he added

“I think the people who are coming here (Kashmir) from international countries are the real ambassadors and friends of India who will go back to correct the false narrative which was tried to be developed and manufactured by the self-style critics, self-styled commentators and self- righteous activist and those vested interest people who think that peace will never return to Kashmir”, Singh said.

He said right from 1990 an evil eye looked at the paradise valley that separated it from being developed.

“Sometimes I think it would have been like Hyderabad and even at that time whatever international events were being… would be held in Srinagar itself”, he said.

He said the SKICC was made to hold international conferences.

“I remember once a medical conference was going on and curfew was declared by the authorities at that time due to an unhealthy situation..now that narrative has completely changed”, he added.

Asked where he sees Kashmir hereafter, the minister said that the union territory is running towards development and has become a part of the development agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Today it is evident that the G20 Tourism Group Meet which is going on here was not being held by compromising with certain aspects”, he said and added, “I think we have become a part of the global world now with India and our challenges, benchmarks, development growth are now global”.

On a question to those countries who have not attended the G20 meeting, he said “You don’t have to waste your time on that. If you are talking about Pakistan..since 1947 they have never accepted that Pak occupied Kashmir is a part of India”. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Listening to people at a ‘Public Darbar’, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that bringing administration at the doorstep of the people is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s endeavour which would address people's grievances on the spot.

“It has been the endeavour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the administration at the doorstep of the people and to listen to their issues so that the same are addressed on the spot,” Dr Singh said at a ‘Public Darbar’ with administrative heads and PRI representatives at Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Singh said, making a departure from the established practice, he has sought to introduce a new practice of holding 'Public Darbars’ with District Administration and PRI representatives outside the district headquarter, in order to listen to the people’s issues directly so that the same could be addressed on the spot with the administration.

“With this historical step, the governance is brought to the remotest corners of the district,” Dr. Singh added and stated that the development has been brought to the remotest corners in the country and the areas which earlier felt neglected under the previous governments have now become the development models for the country, the best example being the Udhampur district in J&K which is ranked number one in the construction of roads under PMGSY.

“The work completed on river Devika Project, integrated tourist facilities at Mantalai which includes a Yoga Centre, Ayurveda Complex is near to completion and Mansar, Surinsar lakes are being developed as the religious tourism sites,” he added.

The PRIs present during the meeting also appreciated the work done by Dr Singh as a Member of Parliament for the development of his constituency, be that the construction of roads to the far-flung areas of Udhampur district, the construction of highways through Udhampur district, the establishment of Kendriya Vidyalayas, GMC, Degree Colleges in the district, the various works done under JJM, Rural Development, PWD etc.

During the ‘Public Darbar’, Dr Singh expressed pride over district Udhampur once again being ranked number one district throughout the country for construction of roads under PMGSY and for utilising 94 percent funds under the current financial year.

He also inaugurated a road from Plassian to Pinjer Ramnagar (Stage II) built at a cost of 283.00 lakhs. (UNI)