PM’s address at the Inauguration & Foundation Stone laying of Multiple Projects in Jammu
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 20 Feb, 2024

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ji, my colleague in the cabinet Jitendra Singh ji, my companions in the Parliament Jugal Kishore ji and Gulam Ali ji, and my dear sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir, Jai Hind! Everyone says that Dogras are very sweet and so is their language. And the Dogri poetess Padma Sachdev says — the language of Dogras is sweet, and the Dogras are as sweet as sugar. Friends, As I have said, my connection with you has been for more than 40 years now. I have organized numerous events, have visited Jammu many times, and now Jitendra Singh has said that I have organised an event on this ground as well. But your enthusiasm and your passion despite the weather … There’s cold, there’s rain, and not one of you is wavering. And I’ve been told that there are three locations where large screens have been set up for people who have seated there. The love of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, your presence here in such large numbers from far and wide, is a great blessing for all of us. This program dedicated to ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed Bharat) is not limited to this extent only. Today, millions of people are connected with us from various educational institutions across the country. Not only that, as Manoj ji was telling me just now, this program is being heard and seen through video in 285 blocks where large screens have been set up. Such a well-organized and massive program happening simultaneously in so many places, and that too on the land of Jammu and Kashmir, where nature challenges us every moment, where nature tests us every time. To have such a grand program with such pomp and show, indeed, the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve to be congratulated. Friends, I was thinking whether I should speak here today or not because of the enthusiasm, the clarity with which some people of Jammu and Kashmir spoke to me, with which they shared their thoughts … Any person in the country who listens to them, his morale must leap, his belief must become eternal, and even he realizes what guarantee means. These five people have proved it by conversing with us. I congratulate all of them very much. Friends, The enthusiasm we see for the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu-Kashmir’ is truly unprecedented. We have witnessed this enthusiasm during the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’. When Modi’s guaranteed vehicle was reaching every village, you all welcomed it splendidly. This is the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that a government has come to their doorsteps. No one who is eligible for any government scheme will be left behind… and this is Modi’s guarantee, this is the wonder of the lotus! And now we have resolved for the ‘Viksit Jammu-Kashmir’. I have faith in you. We will develop ‘Viksit Jammu-Kashmir’. Your dreams, which have remained unfulfilled for 70 years, will be fulfilled by Modi in the coming few years. Brothers and sisters, There was a time when only news of disappointment used to come from Jammu and Kashmir. Bombs, guns, kidnappings, and isolation had become the misfortune of Jammu and Kashmir. But today, Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward with the resolve to develop. Today, projects worth 32,000 crore rupees have been either inaugurated or their foundation stone has been laid here. These projects are related to education, skill development, employment, health, industry, and connectivity. Today, many projects have been inaugurated here for various cities of the country. Institutions like IIT and IIM are being expanded in different states. Congratulations to Jammu and Kashmir, to the whole country, to the youth of the country for all these development projects. Today, hundreds of young people have also been handed over government appointment letters here. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the young friends as well. Friends, Jammu and Kashmir has been a victim of dynastic politics for decades. Those involved in dynastic politics have always prioritized their own interests, without considering your welfare. If anyone suffers the most from dynastic politics, it’s our youth, our young sons and daughters. Governments that are only focused on promoting one family leave the future of their state’s youth hanging in the balance. Such dynastic governments don’t even prioritize making plans for the youth. People who only think about their own families will never care about your families. I am satisfied that Jammu and Kashmir is getting rid of this dynastic politics. Brothers and sisters, Our government is focusing the most on the poor, farmers, youth, and women to make Jammu and Kashmir developed. Don’t trouble that girl, she’s very young, just a little doll, if she were here, I would bless her immensely, but don’t trouble that girl in this cold. Until some time ago, the youth here had to go to other states for higher education, for professional education. Look at it today, Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a major centre for education and skill development. The mission of making education modern in the country in the last 10 years is now expanding here. I remember, in December 2013, which Jitendra ji just mentioned, when I came to the BJP’s ‘Lalkar’ rally, I made a promise to you from this very ground. I raised the question, why can’t modern educational institutions like IIT and IIM be established in Jammu? We fulfilled those promises. Now there is both IIT and IIM in Jammu. And that’s why people say – Modi’s guarantee means, the guarantee of fulfilling promises! Today the inauguration of the academic complex and hostel of IIT Jammu has also taken place here. I can see the enthusiasm of the youth, it is wonderful. Along with this, the inauguration of permanent campuses of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIIT-DM Kurnool, Indian Institute of Skills Kanpur, Central Sanskrit Universities in Uttarakhand, and Tripura has also taken place. Today, along with IIM Jammu, the inauguration of campuses of IIM Bodh Gaya in Bihar and IIM Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh has also taken place from here. In addition to this, today the inauguration of academic blocks, hostels, libraries, auditoriums, and many facilities in modern institutions of higher education such as NIT Delhi, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, NIT Durgapur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISER Berhampur, Triple IT Lucknow, has also been done. Friends, Until 10 years ago, it was difficult to think on this scale in the field of education and skill development. But this is New Bharat. New Bharat spends as much as possible to provide modern education to its current generation. In the last 10 years, a record number of schools, colleges, and universities have been built in the country. Here in Jammu and Kashmir alone, nearly 50 new degree colleges have been established. More than 45,000 children have been enrolled in schools, and these are the children who did not go to school before. And I am pleased that our daughters have benefited the most from these schools. Today, they are able to obtain better education near their homes. There was a time when schools were set on fire; today, schools are being bedecked. And brothers and sisters, Today, there is also rapid improvement in healthcare services in Jammu and Kashmir. Before 2014, there were only 4 medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. Today, the number of medical colleges has increased from 4 to 12. Against 500 MBBS seats in 2014, there are now more than 1300 MBBS seats here. Before 2014, there was not a single medical PG seat here, but today this number has increased to over 650. In the last 4 years, nearly 45 new nursing and paramedical colleges have been opened here. Hundreds of new seats have been added. Jammu and Kashmir is such a state of the country where 2 AIIMS are being built. I am fortunate to inaugurate AIIMS Jammu today. For those elderly companions who have come here, who are listening to me, this was beyond imagination. For many decades after independence, there was only one AIIMS in Delhi. You had to go to Delhi for treatment of serious illnesses. But I gave you the guarantee of AIIMS here in Jammu. And I have fulfilled this guarantee. In the last 10 years, 15 new AIIMS have been approved in the country. One of them is ready to serve you here in Jammu today. And work is also progressing rapidly on AIIMS Kashmir. Brothers and sisters, Today, we are witnessing a new Jammu and Kashmir being built. The biggest barrier to the development of the region was Article 370, and the BJP government has removed this barrier. Now, Jammu and Kashmir is moving towards balanced development. I have heard that perhaps this week a film related to Article 370 is going to be released. I think there will be cheers across the country. I don’t know how the film is, I just heard somewhere on TV that such a film on (Article) 370 is being released. It’s good as it will help people get the right information. Friends, Look at the power of (Article) 370. Due to the removal of (Article) 370, I have been emboldened to tell the people of the country to give BJP 370 (seats) in the next elections, and let NDA cross 400 (seats). Now no region of ​​the state will be left behind, everyone will move forward together. Even those who were living in deprivation for decades have realized the presence of the government today. Today, you see, there is a wave of new politics in every village. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have sounded the bugle against dynastic politics, corruption, and appeasement. Today, every youth of Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward to write his own future. Where there used to be pin drop silence due to strikes and shutdowns, there is now the hustle and bustle of life. Friends, Those who ruled Jammu and Kashmir for decades never cared about your hopes and aspirations. Previous governments did not even respect our soldiers living here. The Congress government lied to the soldiers for 40 years that it would introduce One Rank One Pension. But the BJP government fulfilled the promise of One Rank One Pension. Due to OROP, former soldiers from Jammu alone have received more than 1600 crores of rupees. When there is a sensitive government, when there is a government that understands your feelings, then it works at such a fast pace. Friends, The social justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution has been received by the common people of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. Our refugee families, Valmiki community, and sanitation workers, have received democratic rights. The Valmiki community’s demand for SC category benefits has been fulfilled after years. ‘Paddari Tribe’, ‘Pahari ethnic group’, ‘Gadda Brahmin’, and ‘Koli’ communities have been included in the Scheduled Tribes. Seats have been reserved in the Assembly for Scheduled Tribes. Reservation has been given to OBCs in the Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, and Municipalities. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ — this is the foundation of ‘Viksit Jammu-Kashmir’. Friends, Jammu and Kashmir have seen immense benefits from the development projects underway, especially for our mothers, sisters, and daughters. Our government, which is building pucca houses, most of these houses are in the names of women…the Har Ghar Jal Yojana…the construction of thousands of toilets…the Ayushman Yojana providing free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees…has made life much easier for the sisters and daughters here. After the removal of Article 370, our sisters have also received the rights that were denied to them before. Friends, You might have heard about the Namo Drone Didi Yojana as well. This is Modi’s guarantee that our sisters will be trained as drone pilots. I was watching an interview of a sister yesterday who said, “I didn’t even know how to ride a bicycle, and today I’m going home after training to become a drone pilot.” Training for sisters has also started in large numbers across the country. For this, we have decided to provide drones to thousands of self-help groups. These drones worth lakhs of rupees will assist in farming and gardening. The spraying of fertilizers and pesticides will become much easier. And sisters will have additional income from this. Brothers and sisters, Earlier, there used to be development works in other parts of Bharat, and Jammu and Kashmir either didn’t benefit from it or benefited much later. Today, all development work is happening simultaneously across the country. New airports are being built all over the country, and Jammu and Kashmir is not lagging behind anyone. The expansion work of Jammu Airport has also started today. The dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail has also progressed today. Just a while ago, trains started running from Srinagar to Baramulla via Sangaldan. The day is not far when people will be able to travel from Kashmir to the entire country by train. Today, the massive electrification campaign of the railways happening across the country has also benefited this region greatly. Today, Jammu and Kashmir has received its first electric train. This will be very helpful in reducing pollution. Friends, When modern trains like Vande Bharat started in the country, we chose Jammu and Kashmir in its initial routes. We made it easier to reach Mata Vaishno Devi. I am happy that there are 2 Vande Bharat trains running in Jammu and Kashmir. Friends, Whether it is village roads, roads within Jammu city, or national highways, work is progressing on all fronts in Jammu and Kashmir. Today, many roads have been inaugurated or their foundation stones have been laid. This includes the second phase of the Srinagar Ring Road. When it is completed, it will make it easier to reach Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani Temple. When the Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri highway project is completed, it will benefit farmers and the tourism sector even more. The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will improve connectivity between Jammu and Katra. When this expressway is completed, travel between Jammu and Delhi will become much easier. Friends, There is great enthusiasm around the world for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. I recently returned from a tour of Gulf countries. There is a lot of positivity regarding investment in Jammu and Kashmir. When the world sees the hosting of the G-20 summit in Jammu and Kashmir today, its echo reaches far and wide. The whole world has been deeply influenced by the beauty, tradition, and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, and the welcome from all of you. Today, everyone is eager to visit Jammu and Kashmir. Last year, more than 20 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, which is a record. The number of pilgrims visiting Amarnath ji and Mata Vaishno Devi has reached its highest level in the last decade. Looking at the pace at which infrastructure is being developed here, these numbers are expected to increase manifold in the future. The increasing number of tourists will create many new employment opportunities here. Brothers and sisters, In the past 10 years, Bharat has moved from being the 11th largest economy to the 5th largest. When a country’s economy grows, what happens? The government has more money to spend on its people. Today, Bharat is providing free ration, free healthcare, pucca houses, gas connections, toilets, and schemes like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to the poor. This is because Bharat’s economic strength has increased. Now, we have to make Bharat the world’s third-largest economy in the next five years. This will greatly increase the country’s capacity to spend on the welfare of the poor and on infrastructure. Here, such an infrastructure will be developed in the Kashmir Valley that people will forget to go to Switzerland. Every family in Jammu and Kashmir will benefit. I ask for your blessings for all of us. And today, as such a big celebration of development has taken place in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, for our Pahari brothers and sisters, for our Gujjar brothers and sisters, for our Pandits, for our Valmiki brothers, for our mothers and sisters, will you do one thing? Will you? Will you do one thing? Take out your mobile phone, turn on the flashlight, and enjoy this celebration of development. Turn on the flashlight of your mobile phones. Wherever you are, turn on the flashlight of your mobile phone, and welcome the celebration of development. Let the flashlight of everyone’s mobile phone be turned on, and the whole country is watching that Jammu is shining and the light of Jammu and Kashmir is reaching the country… Well done. Say it with me – Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Bharat Mata Ki – Jai! Thanks a lot.