Time to leave behind old challenges, benefit from new possibilities: PM to J&K youth

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Jammu and Kashmir as the pride of every Indian, and said that it is time to leave behind the old challenges and take full benefit of new possibilities.

Addressing the Jammu and Kashmir Rozgar Mela through video conferencing, he also said that there is a need to work with a new approach and new thinking for fast-paced development.

"We are committed to taking benefits of development equally to all sections and citizens," Modi said.

"Jammu and Kashmir is the pride of every Indian. Together we have to take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights," he said. "This decade of the 21st century is the most important decade in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. Now is the time to leave the old challenges behind, and take full advantage of the new possibilities."

Modi congratulated 3,000 young people who received appointment letters to work in the government in 20 different places in Jammu and Kashmir. These youngsters will get opportunities to serve in various departments like the PWD, health department, food and civil supplies department, animal husbandry, Jal Shakti, and education-culture, he added.

The prime minister further said that preparations are in full swing to hand out more than 700 appointment letters in other departments in the coming days.

Referring to a record increase in the number of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister said the tourism sector in the state received a boost due to the infrastructural developments and increased connectivity.

"It is our endeavour that the benefits of government schemes reach every section of society without any discrimination," the prime minister remarked.

He also informed that efforts are on to strengthen the health and education infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir with the opening of two new AIIMS, seven new medical colleges, two state cancer institutes and 15 nursing colleges.

He said efforts are underway to improve connectivity to Kashmir by trains.

The prime minister further said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were coming forward in large numbers for the development of their state and their people.

"It is our youth who will write a new story of development in Jammu and Kashmir," Modi said.