J-K on a new journey of normalcy and development, says L-G in his I-Day speech

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 15

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said a new era of development had begun after the 2019 constitutional changes.

“After the 2019 constitutional changes, the Central Government took not one or two, but historic 50 decisions to transform the face of the region. This has led to a new era of normalcy and development in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his Independence Day speech at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar after unfurling the Tricolour.

In his speech, Sinha urged the youths to engage in activism as the youth has the power of transformation.

Also read: Modi promises Assembly polls to J-K; no word on statehood

Hoisted the National Flag on the occasion of 74th Independence Day and addressed the fellow citizens of Jammu-Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/G18H6kOlhG

— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) August 15, 2020

“My own student life was marked with activism. I ask youth of Jammu and Kashmir to direct their activism towards development as future leaders of the country,” he said.

The Lt Gov said after the independence, unfortunately, some wrong decisions were taken and these decisions inevitably led to resentment in the hearts of the people of the Jammu and Kashmir.

“These decisions also distanced them from the rest. Generation after generation was sacrificed at the altar of hatred. Instead of countless doors that should have opened for the people in Independent India, numerous doors closed upon the people, and distances increased,” Lt Gov Sinha said.

The Lt Gov laid five targets for his government, which he said would be transparency in governance, grassroots democracy, people’s welfare, accelerated development and creation of employment opportunities.

He said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid great emphasis on ‘insaniyat’, ‘jamhooriyat’ and ‘Kashmiriyat’.

“But humanity conceded defeat to terrorism for decades in Kashmir, democracy suffered at the hands of vested interests, and Kashmiriyat was massacred to appease the hatred that ensued. It is a matter of great sorrow that the legacy of cultural syncretism has been eclipsed by the vicious story of sectarianism,” Sinha said.

 He said they wanted to “transform the narrative” once again.

The LG said he was deeply impressed by the spirit of the Hindu-Muslim unity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lt Gov Sinha also recalled sacrifices by countless freedom fighters.

“This day inspires us to preserve and protect the Independence and integrity of our country and create a poverty-free, disease-free and illiteracy-free society,” he said.

The Independence Day function was held peacefully amid tight security.

The authorities also suspended the mobile internet for several hours as a precautionary measure. However, mobile phone services were not suspended. Strict restrictions were imposed in Srinagar to ensure peaceful Independence Day function.