"Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast." If there is ever a heaven on earth, its here, its here, its here. These are the lines that come to one’s mind the moment you hear Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir, heaven on earth, has been an important state of India. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir marks a significant beginning towards once again making J&K a paradise (of development and peace).
Kick-starting his vikas yatra for the nation, Shri Modi clarified to the people of the state that his government’s focus is not to play politics but to win people’s heart, while conceptualising a common development plan for all the Himalayan states. His visit to the state, so early in his tenure, indicates towards the fact that the Prime Minister considers the northern state his top priority.
The one day visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on July 4, 2014 aimed at establishing a development plan for the Himalayan state. While delivering a speech Shri Modi said, “It is my priority to win the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and this has to be achieved through development and their welfare...We all have a responsibility to see that the people of the state are happy and prosperous.”
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that this visit can be regarded as a holy visit. He tweeted, “On one hand Amarnath Yatra is on. On the other hand it is Holy Month of Ramzan & here is a facility to connect devotees with Vaishno Devi”
On one hand Amarnath Yatra is on. On the other hand it is Holy Month of Ramzan & here is a facility to connect devotees with Vaishno Devi:PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2014
Flagging off the train from Katra
It was a proud moment for the people of J&K and for the entire country, when Prime Minister Modi flagged off the first train from the base camp of Vaishno Devi, Katra to Udhampur that will allow easy access to the Hindu shrine that receives more than millions of devotees every year. For the Prime Minister, it was a touching moment as he inaugurated the project envisaged by Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shri Modi emphasised that, “infrastructure is the centre point of development.” PM envisioned that the new train be named “Shree Shakti Express.”
Recalling the contribution of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in realising the dream of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, chief minister Omar Abdullah has said the “people of the state now look up you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) for its further expansion”.
https://in.reuters.com/article/2014/07/04/india-modi-kashmir-idINKBN0F90PA20140704
PM suggests that new train to Katra be named Shreeshakti express.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2014 Prime Minister flags off the first train from Katra to Udhampur
Amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" by school children on board, PM flags off the 1st train to Udhampur from Katra pic.twitter.com/gNiYSQa1bF
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2014
PM dedicating the Udhampur-Katra Railway Line to the Nation. He unveiled the plaque at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra pic.twitter.com/AZI0WNTb1A
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2014
Inauguration of National Hydro Power Corporation’s 240 power plant
Shri Modi inaugurated National Hydro Power Corporation’s 240 megawatt electricity on the Line of Control in Uri. Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal noted, “the power generated will benefit Jammu & Kashmir immensely and give an impetus to the local economy and create employment for locals.” The project was conceived during Shri Vajpayee’s government.
Shri Modi recalled Ex-Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and asserted that he will take forward the good work that was started by Vajpayee.
The series of events in J&K on July 4, 2014 were full of nostalgia as the power project inaugurated by PM Modi was conceived during the previous NDA government under the leadership of Shri Vajpayee.
The power generated will benefit Jammu & Kashmir immensely and give an impetus to the local economy and create employment for locals (8/n)
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 4, 2014
Visit to Badami Bagh Cantonment area
Shri Modi also visited the Badami Bagh cantonment area to meet the soldiers. Shri Modi visited the Martyrs’ Memorial at Badami Bagh to pay his tributes. Following that Shri Modi addressed the “Sainik Sammelan” and emphasised on the needs of “self reliance in defence of offset manufacturing” for the nation’s security. Taking forward his aim of development ahead, Shri Modi said that strong armed forces will contribute towards a peaceful atmosphere which is the foundation of India’s development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets soldiers at Badani Bagh Cantt., Srinagar (PIB Photo)
Shri Modi said that his government is looking forward towards the modernisation of defence forces. He also reiterated his government’s commitment to build a National War Memorial.
PM taking salutes before addressing the soldiers at Badani Bagh Cantt., Srinagar (PIB Photo)