Rajeev Gupta
Jammu and Kashmir witnessing massive development, after the abrogation of so-called special status and its transition into a Union Territory, is making a common Kashmiri realise that he was misled and misguided by his so-called leaders. J&K, fast turning into a most preferred tourist destination, has helped in reviving the ailing economy of the Himalayan region. The major development projects aimed at connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country have brought it closer to Delhi. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is on way to become an express highway. Two tunnels, the 8.5 Km long Navyug tunnel connecting Banihal with Qazigund and 9.2 Km long Chenani Nashri tunnel have brought Srinagar closer to Jammu The travel time between the two cities has been reduced by many hours. Once the work on the last highway stretch between Banihal and Ramban is completed, distance will be reduced further.
The train to Kashmir is not that far-away and by 2024, the Valley will be connected with the rest of the country through a railway network also. As many as 109 projects have been completed in Jammu division at a cost of Rs 455 crore, including 14 bridges. Apart from this, nine bridges worth Rs 19 crores have been completed under various other schemes. The steps taken by the Centre are an ample proof of its commitment to build ‘Naya Jammu and Kashmir’ and guide the common man, who till August 5, 2019, when the Centre announced its decision to revoke Article 370, a temporary provision in Indian Constitution and divided J&K into two Union Territories, were living in illusions created by Pakistan stooges and Kashmir-based mainstream politicians. A common Kashmiri no longer takes to streets to pelt stones and shuts down shops for days together. He has understood that he paid a heavy price for getting carried away by the false propaganda and fake narrative. The Centre has been regularly creating job avenues for the local J&K youth. In the past 2-years more than 20,000 vacancies were filled up in the government departments and thousands of new jobs have been announced. The government is working hard to invite new investments into Jammu and Kashmir and after August 5, 2019, investment proposals worth thousands of crores have been received. On the other hand all the possible help is being provided to J&K youth to set up business ventures and become successful entrepreneurs. From sports to education the opportunities are being provided in every field. Jammu and Kashmir is all about success stories and development. On the other hand Pakistan occupied Kashmir has been treated as a colony by Pakistan as no sign of development is visible there. The PoJK residents have never been allowed to open their mouths and express their political and socio-economic grievances. The Pakistani federal government has neglected basic development needs in PoJK, which suffers from poor infrastructure and a lack of available resources and technology. The Pakistan government has not taken sufficient measures to encourage development-oriented investment in the region, and the Pakistani military has kept the region’s people unprivileged. Unemployment rate in PoK is high and the literacy rate is low. Rulers in Pakistan have not paid much attention towards developing any sector in the region. Rather they have emphasised on turning PoJK into training camps and launch pads. The PoJK natives migrate to Pakistan’s large cities in search of low-paying jobs at hotels, restaurants, and clothing stores as there are no avenues for them The PoJK residents also suffer from poor governance, an absence of political legitimacy, and disenfranchisement. The federal government has focused on securing its political hold over the region and has neglected actual governance in the process. Denizens of Jammu and Kashmir have understood that people living in other Kashmir haven’t achieved anything during past 70-years. Pakistan and its rulers have not paid any attention towards PoJK. During the past two years the mindset of a common Kashmiri has changed. He has rejected the slogans of separatism, autonomy and Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan. Slowly but surely a common Kashmiri is learning to call spade a spade and is not shying away by calling himself a proud Indian.
