The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to join the mainstream development underway in other parts of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
Modi was referring to a 'back-to-villages' government programme that had been undertaken in the Kashmir Valley. Jammu and Kashmir is under President's rule at present.
Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said the programme was undertaken across 4,500 panchayats of the state in which government officials had to trek long distances to reach each and every village in the valley.
"A certain Mohammed Aslam from Shopian wrote to me on mygov.in saying how the community mobilisation programme of back-to-villages started in June should be undertaken every three months.
"He suggested an online monitoring of the programme. This shows how people of Kashmir are eager to join the mainstream development in the country," said Modi.
During the mobilisation programme, officials travelled even to remote villages on the border that are constantly under Pakistani fire.
Officials also reached parts of Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag where gram sabhas were held and government welfare programmes were showcased.
"Citizens of the state participated in huge numbers in these week-long programmes. Villagers discussed issues including health, literacy, water and electricity with officials. Sports kits were distributed, MNERGA job camps were held and horticulture stalls were set up," he said.
In his address, Modi urged the youth and students across the country to take part in an online quiz to be held next month on the subject of space science and research. The details of the quiz will be available on the website mygov.in from August 1.
The winners of the quiz will get an opportunity to travel to the space research centre in Sriharikota at government expenses in September to directly view the landing of Chandrayaan 2 payloads on the moon.
Modi greatly lauded scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in making Chandrayaan 2 a huge success. He also mentioned that the launch of Indian anti-satellite (A-SAT) missile in March was a resounding success.
Talking about the Swachh Bharat mission, Modi spoke about an engineer, Yogesh Saini, and his team who have contributed immensely towards beautification of Delhi through street art and paintings.
On water conservation, Meghalaya came in for praise from the Prime Minister for becoming the first state to formulate a water policy of its own.
Ten Indian children, who won medals in a recently concluded world sports championship held in Moscow exclusively for cancer survivors, also found mention in Modi's address.
Despite our positive contributions, we don't feel safe in Canada: Hindus to Trudeau
Urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to keep Canada free from "the glorification of terrorism", a prominent Hindu advocacy group in the country said on Friday that Ottawa's current political discourse regarding India's alleged interference in the country further emboldens extremist elements.
India, world’s No 1 country in digital payments: Anurag Thakur’s reply to taunts by past govts
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Anurag Thakur on Friday explained in great detail about India’s giant strides on economic, infrastructure and technological fronts while making an elaborate presentation on the swift changes during ten years of Modi government.
Viksit Bharat Ambassador meet-up: ‘Reform, perform and transform’ mantra changed the country in 10 years, says Anurag Thakur
Addressing the Viksit Bharat Ambassador meet-up program in Lucknow, the I&B Minister said that the three mantras of the Modi government – ‘Reform, perform and Transform’ did a great deal in bringing this transformation, with a focus on extending benefits to even the last man standing.
Fresh tension grips Sandeshkhali over attack on AISF supporters
Tension gripped the Bermajur locality at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal on Friday following an attack on the All India Secular Front (AISF) workers who tried to hoist the party flag there.
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar
In an open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the Kyiv's ongoing conflict with Russia and exchanged views on various initiatives.
Sales turnover of Government e-Marketplace doubles to Rs 4 lakh crore in 2023-24
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has closed the 2023-24 financial year with a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of a staggering Rs 4 lakh crore which is double that of the corresponding figure for the previous fiscal year (2022-23), the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Friday.
From superfood millet to finding inner peace: PM Modi's key lifestyle mantras for Bill Gates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a candid conversation with Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates, not only discussed AI, climate change, healthcare and digital inclusion but also gave him some useful tips about how to remain healthy while finding inner peace in hectic times.
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari’s death
Mukhtar Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in "an unconscious state" on Thursday. A team of nine doctors attended him but he died of cardiac arrest.