JK News Today Analysis
Home Minister Amit Shah made. heart-warming statement about the enthusiasm among tourists across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir . Seen against the backdrop of what happened in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025 , this statement, coming as it does from Home Minister should warm hearts of the tourism related stakeholders in the territory. It also signals Centre’s intent and will to see J&K traverse on path of normalcy with income generation and increasing its profile as an ideal tourist place for tourists from all over the country and aberoad.
Jammu and Kashmir, since the devastation caused by terrorists in scenic Pahalgam, one of the most popular tourist resorts in the Valley along Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Srinagar , the tourism industry had been waiting to hear this kind of statement from a national leader . The tourists in the country know that much of the fear and horror caused by the terrorists on April 22, 2025 , when they massacred 25 tourists , and a local Kashmiri Pony ride operator , but they wanted a statement of reassurance on this count.
Amit Shah who monitors all the developments and moods across the country vis-à-vis security affairs is a good mind reader . While analyzing the tourism sector of J&K and the mood in the country , he shared some of thought-provoking developments at a meeting convened to review developmental projects in Jammu and Kashmir .
He said : “The enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir has not diminished,” implying that there is no dip in the mood of tourists’ enthusiasm after Pahalgam massacre of April 2025 . The level of excitement to see the beauty and experience hospitality of Jammu and Kashmir is same what it was before the tragedy. That was to suggest that the bond of the tourists in the country with Jammu and Kashmir, crown jewel of India, is high in spirits .
“ There is a need for aggressive marketing of Jammu and Kashmir’s destinations in other states to explore the tourism potential here (J&K)”, the Home Minister sked the J&K administration that works under both Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah . Both Sinha and Omar were there in the meeting and the message was very loud and clear for them and the officials .
The word “ enthusiasm” denotes much more than the invitation to tourists to make good on their promise to visit the Valley , which has been blessed with bountiful of snowfall this winter . Snow lovers are already in Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam . The literal meaning of “ enthusiasm “ is eagerness , and that excitement has been deployed to suggest interest of the tourists across states and union territories to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
Amit Shah had visited Pahalgam, the very next day of the carnage , after arriving in Srinagar immediately after learning about the terror attack . He had taken stock of the situation , looked at what went wrong and why, suggested corrective measures , and empathized with the victim families . He fulfilled his responsibility as Home Minister entrusted with the responsibility to look after all the security dimensions , though on the ground it was for Lieutenant Governor to oversee all the security affairs and safety of tourists.
Now when more than nine months have passed since massacre , Home Minister’s reference to the enthusiasm of the tourists to visit Jammu and Kashmir, bridges a big gap that had erupted after the tragedy of April last year. It is response to the tourism stakeholders yearning for the tourists in J&K, not only to reverse their economic losses suffered last year, but to reshape the image of the hospitality and love for tourists . They are looking for the image correction , though the marauders were Pakistani terrorists- all the three of them were eliminated in Operation Mahadev on July 28 last year.
The enthusiasm of tourists across the country needs to be tapped . This is important for Jammu and Kashmir, as the tourism is not mere Rs. 10,000 crore industry but in the context of this place a way of strengthening bonds between peoples , and a strategic asset to negate the evil influences of inimical forces .
Now it is for the LG and Chief Minister to carry forward the message and implement in in letter and spirit . Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is not all about optics , it rests in the soul of the people – it is both legacy and future of the place.
