Binoo Joshi

JK News Today Analysis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s speech in Sonamarg , the world renowned tourist destination in central Kashmir amid the snow capped Himalayan peaks and enthusiastic crowds , brought cheer to millions of hearts in the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir and ladakh as he promised that he would fulfill all his promises of doing right things at right time . It was straight from his heart in which he has accorded special place to the people of this region hailed as “ crown of India.”

His inspirational speech also reflected and recalled his pledges though without explicitly mentioning them that he is committed to honor all his commitments to honour realization of their dreams . He said that no dream of J&K would be halted by any situation as went on to announce that all his promises made in the past , including that of the restoration of the statehood, at an appropriate time .

By reiterating to honour all his promises and to make J&K- the crown of the country , brighter with an n aim to secure the future of new generations, Modi laid out an extension work for Jammu and Kashmir . The object of Naya Jammu and Kashmir has already been achieved with a massive exercise of high development in high altitudes and reaching out of the last man with healthcare, educational facilities as also with huge investment and employment opportunities . Now by listing more work for making the territory more vibrant , Modi has laid out vision of New Jammu and Kashmir 2.0.

Although the word statehood remained unspoken , but then Modi has his own style of saying things . In response to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whom he praised profusely for his enthusiasm and dynamism, speech calling for restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir . He reminded the Prime Minister two out of the three major promises that he had made at the time of his visit in connection with Yoga Divas in June last year , have been fulfilled , but the third one is awaiting its fulfillment . The third one was regarding restoration of the statehood.

Prime Minister , during the course of his speech on the eve of Yoga Divas – June 20 , 2024, had made three promises that he will endavour to remove the distances between New Delhi and J&K as also that of between hearts, hold Assembly polls and restore statehood to J&K. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said while the two promises of bridging the distances has been met and the shining example of which was the inauguration of Sonamarg tunnel and inauguration of Jammu railway division earlier this month.

Modi’s speech road network after the inauguration of Sonamarg tunnel which will reduce distances between Srinagar and Sonamarg, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region , touched upon some of the very critically important issues of Jammu and Kashmir that how this land which stood isolated is now a hub of connectivity through rail and road networks as also because of multiple tunnels and bridges that have acquired their unique height and place in the world. These have become a source of envy for the world , like the highest railway bridge over Chenab River linking rail network between the Valley and the rest of the country, and the highest tunnel is under construction in the region – Zojilla tunnel .

Step by step work has been done with an unimaginably high speed , the ground for newer works has been identified in the next phase of New J&K which started today after an engineering marvel of Sonamarg tunnel was dedicated to the nation .