Katra, Jun 06 (KNO): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the changing face of Jammu and Kashmir, citing recent events such as the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela—where thousands of devotees gathered—as a powerful reflection of the region's growing optimism and return to normalcy.
In his public address, the Prime Minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), mentioned the "painful past" marked by terrorism, where many residents had abandoned their dreams and accepted violence as an inescapable reality. However, he said this narrative has shifted under his government’s leadership.
“Today, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are dreaming again—and fulfilling those dreams,” PM Modi said. “They take joy in bustling markets, vibrant shopping malls, and flourishing cinema halls. This is the new spirit of the valley.”
He underlined the aspirations of locals to re-establish Jammu and Kashmir as a premier destination for film shoots and to develop it as a hub for sports and tourism. Events like the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the celebration of Eid, he added, signify not just cultural vitality but the resilience and progress of the people.
Touching upon security concerns, Modi said the momentum of development will not be derailed by incidents like the recent Pahalgam attack. “Any obstacle threatening the dreams of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth will have to face me directly,” he declared.
The Prime Minister also invoked Operation Sindoor, conducted exactly a month ago, describing it as a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorist networks. “Whenever Pakistan hears the name Operation Sindoor, it will remember its humiliating defeat,” he said, adding that the operation dismantled terror infrastructure that had taken decades to build—within minutes.
He said Pakistan retaliated with cowardly attacks on innocent civilians in Jammu, Poonch and other districts.
Condemning the violence, the PM said the world saw how Pakistan bombed schools, hospitals, temples, mosques and gurudwaras in a show of desperation.
Praising the unwavering courage of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister asserted that the entire nation stands in solidarity with those affected. “Every Indian is with you, with full strength and unwavering support,” he said—(KNO)