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Modi lays foundation stone of Rs 20,000 cr worth projects in J&K

Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in J&K, including the opening of the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, including the opening of the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity between the two regions of the union territory.

Modi, who celebrated the Panchayat Raj Diwas at Palli Gram Panchayat in Samba, said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will get employment opportunities through overall development of the union territory.

This is the prime minister’s first visit to J-K after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

“The inauguration and laying of foundation of project of Rs 20,000 crores took place today. This will give new impetus to development of Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi said in an address to the people here.

He said that it is a big day for speeding up the development of the region. “I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir for this”.

“Rs 38,000 crores of private investment have been received in J&K in two years as compared to Rs 17,000 crores in last seven decades,” the prime minister said.

The central laws, which would empower people here were not implemented over the years, have been implemented by the present government, he said.

Prime Minister inaugurated the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity between the Jammu and Kashmir regions of the union territory.

The 8.45 Km long tunnel will reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 Km and reduce the journey time by around one-and-a half-hours, officials said.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of three road packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, being built at a cost of over Rs 7,500 crore, apart from launching ‘Amrit Sarvor’ initiative seeking to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district of the country.

Among other projects, Modi also laid foundation stone of Rattle and Kwar hydroelectric projects, a 850 MW facility to be constructed on Chenab river in Kishtwar at a cost of around Rs 5,300 crore, and 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project to be build on the same river at a cost of over Rs 4,500 crore.

In order to further expand the network of ‘Jan Aushadi Kendras’ in Jammu and Kashmir, and to make good quality generic medicines available at affordable prices, 100 centres were inaugurated by the Prime Minister. These centres are located in remote corners of the union territory.

PM also handed over ‘SVAMITVA’ (survey of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas) cards to beneficiaries under the scheme. The cards will give villagers documentary proof of their ownership of properties so that they can use them for financial benefits if required.

He also digitally transferred prize money of Rs 44.70 crore to the bank accounts of 322 awardee Panchayats across 31 states/UTs in the country which are winners of awards given across different categories.

The prize money ranged from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

The OM said that the idea of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ is to bridge distances between different parts of the country.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Palli Gram Panchayat in Samba district, Modi said, “The day is not far away when the Devi of Kanyakumari will meet Vaishno Devi with a single road.

“When I speak about ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, our focus is on connectivity and bridging distances. Our aim is to provide all-weather connectivity to J&K.

“Work is going on at fast pace to give new impetus to development of Jammu and Kashmir which is also an example of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,” Modi said.

Speaking of the recent boom in tourism industry of Kashmir, the Prime Minister said that tourism is also thriving in the valley again.

Speaking about the transparency in the functioning of the government, he said, “Earlier, a file that was initiated for the development of J&K took 2-3 months to reach the state, today, it reaches the state within three weeks.”

He said many investors have now come forward to invest in J&K and this would give an impetus to both employment and industry here.

“A new story of development is being written in Jammu & Kashmir. Many private investors are interested to come to J&K,” he said.

Speaking about the lack of opportunities to the underprivileged classes in J&K in the past, he says, “Those who did not get the benefit of reservation for years in Jammu and Kashmir are now getting the benefit of reservation.

“All the schemes of the central governments are being implemented in the Valley. People are using the schemes to their benefits,” he said.

Talking about the devolution of power to the grassroots level in the country that has become possible because of the empowerment of the Panchayati Raj, he said, “It is a matter of great pride that democracy has reached grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I greet everyone on National Panchayati Raj Day. Today is a big day for Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.

“Today, Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example for the whole country. In the last few years, Kashmir has created a new dimension for law and development.

“Palli is on the way to become India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat. I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that “today it seems that after decades the people of Jammu and Kashmir are a part of such a gathering.”

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Modi visits Kashmir, flags off projects worth Rs 20k cr

PM Modi said that these initiatives will provide huge employment opportunities to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first major visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development initiatives worth Rs 20,000 crore in the Union Territory.

“Projects worth Rs 20,000 crore related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated here today. In a bid to bid speed up the development in Jammu and Kashmir, many development initiatives are being taken up in the Union Territory,” said PM Modi in Palli Panchayat of Samba district.

PM Modi further said that these initiatives will provide huge employment opportunities to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Ratle and Kwar Hydroelectric projects. The 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project will be constructed on Chenab river in Kishtwar District at a cost of around Rs 5300 crore. The 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project will also be built on the Chenab river in Kishtwar District at a cost of over Rs 4500 crore. Both the projects will help meet the power requirements of the region.

“With the inauguration of a 500 KW solar power plant at Palli in Samba District, it is moving towards becoming the country’s first panchayat to become carbon neutral…The people of Palli have demonstrated what ‘Sabka prayas’ can do,” said PM Modi.

Prime Minister inaugurated the Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, built at a cost of over Rs 3100 crore. The 8.45 Km long tunnel would reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km, and reduce journey time by around one and a half hour.

It is a twin-tube tunnel – one for each direction of travel – with the twin tubes being interconnected by a cross passage every 500m, for maintenance and emergency evacuation. The tunnel would help establish an all-weather connection between Jammu and Kashmir and bring the two regions closer.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of three road packages of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, being built at a cost of over Rs. 7500 crore. They are for the construction of 4/6 lane access controlled Delhi-Katra-Amritsar Expressway from: Balsua on NH-44 to Gurha Baildaran, Hiranagar; Gurha Baildaran, Hiranagar to Jakh, Vijaypur; and Jakh, Vijaypur to Kunjwani, Jammu with spur connectivity to Jammu Airport.

In order to further expand the network of Jan Aushadi Kendras in Jammu and Kashmir and to make good quality generic medicines at affordable prices available, 100 Kendras made functional were also dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister.

These Kendras are located in the remote corners of the UT. He will also inaugurate a 500 KW solar power plant at Palli, which will make it the country’s first panchayat to become carbon neutral.

Prime Minister also visited the INTACH photo gallery which depicts the rural heritage of the region, and Nokia Smartpur, a rural entrepreneurship-based model designed to create ideal smart villages in India.

PM Modi is addressing a gathering of more than 30,000 Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members of Jammu and Kashmir, while PRIs from across the country are connected virtually for the Prime Minister’s address. (ANI)

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Modi set to take a giant step for Mission Kashmir

Touring border areas, addressing public rallies, inaugurating projects, laying foundation stones and presiding over high-level official meetings, Modi visited J&K as Prime Minister as many as 20 times from his first visit on 4 July 2014 to his last on 4 November 2021, a report by AHMED ALI FAYYAZ

With his frequent visits to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a record of sorts. If his scheduled visit of 24 April 2022 materialises, he will become India’s first PM after 1980 to have visited J&K as many as 21 times.

Modi is known to have toured Kashmir in the thick of militancy in 1990-94. According to the local BJP leaders, he visited all the valley’s six districts in 1993 when most of the mainstream politicians had resigned under the fear and diktat of gun. Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had escaped to London. Several of his ex-Ministers and MLAs had been killed by terrorists and others—with exceptions like Aga Syed Mehmood, Mohammad Shafi Bhat and Mohammad Sayeed Akhoon—had migrated and settled in Jammu.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who worked as the union Home minister for 11 months in 1989-90, used to live in Delhi. Ghulam Nabi Azad, another former Union Minister from J&K, had reduced his visibility after his brother-in-law was kidnapped and, for his good luck, released. Farooq Abdullah couldn’t even visit the funeral of his close relative Sheikh Sadiq, reportedly killed by Mushtaq Latram’s Al-Umar Mujahideen.

PM Narendra Modi celebrating Diwali with the soldiers of Indian Armed Forces, in Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir on November 04, 2021. (PIB)

A year after hoisting the Indian national flag along with the then BJP President Murli Manohar Joshi and other party colleagues at Lalchowk, Modi traversed the length and breadth of the militant-infested valley. His subsequent low-key visits lent him an unmatched confidence. At his Lalkar Rally at Jammu’s M.A. Stadium, on 1 December 2013, when he was Gujarat’s Chief Minister and the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Modi made a mention of his long-time association with J&K.

Touring border areas, addressing public rallies, inaugurating projects, laying foundation stones and presiding over high-level official meetings, Modi visited J&K as Prime Minister as many as 20 times from his first visit on 4 July 2014 to his last on 4 November 2021. In a single year, most of his J&K visits happened in the year 2014—4 July, 12 August, 7 September, 23 October, 22 November, 28 November, 8 December, 13 December and 16 December.

In 2015, Modi visited J&K three times—on 1 March, 17 July and 7 November. His one-odd visit in 2016—on 19 April—covered the inauguration of a sports complex besides the convocation of Mata Vaishno Devi University and inauguration of Mata Vaishno Devi Hospital at Katra in Jammu.

In 2017, Modi visited J&K twice, first on 2 April to inaugurate the Syama Prasad Mukherjee tunnel between Nashri and Chenani on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. Later, on 19 October, he visited the Gurez valley on the Line of Control. On 19 May 2018, he had an extensive visit to Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu.

A Kashmiri fisherman throws net in Dal Lake to catch fishes in Srinagar. (Photo Nisar Malik IANS)

On 3 February 2019, just 11 days before the deadly Pulwama blast which killed 44 CRPF personnel, PM Modi had another extensive visit to Srinagar, Leh and Jammu. His last civilian and political visit happened on 14 April 2019 when he addressed the Lok Sabha election rallies at Kathua and Udhampur.

After reorganisation of the erstwhile State and withdrawal of special status in August 2019, Modi visited J&K only twice—on 27 October 2019 and 4 November 2021, both times to celebrate Diwali with the troops in Jammu’s Rajouri district.

While the authorities are tight-lipped on the PM’s Kashmir itinerary, Palli Panchayat in Jammu’s Samba district is being decorated for a massive public rally. The BJP leaders insist that one lakh people would attend Modi’s first public meeting in J&K after the creation of the Union Territory. Among other programmes, PM is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for three major hydroelectric power projects on the Chenab river virtually at his public meeting. He would also kickstart projects involving a national and foreign investment worth Rs 70,000 crore under the UT’s new Industrial Development Policy.

Officials in Srinagar are making preparations to mobilise a large number of the members and heads of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies for participation in Prime Minister’s second public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). His attendance at a sports event inside a stadium is also on cards.

Social activists install the National flag atop a clock tower during Republic Day fuction at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Jan. 26,2022.(Photo Nisar Malik IANS)

This time around Modi is visiting J&K when preparations are underway for the UT’s first Assembly elections. The delimitation process, which began in March 2020, is likely to be completed within its current deadline of 6 May. Both PM and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah have maintained that the elections would be held immediately after completion of the delimitation process. There has been no State/UT legislature or public representation since November 2018.

However, holding of the Assembly elections would heavily depend on the security scenario. Even as the Police and security forces have neutralised over 600 militants in the last three years, an upswing in the incidents of terrorist violence since 19 March 2022 is not encouraging for a democratic process.

Similarly, the separatists’ soft power has not been neutralised decisively as both radicalisation and recruitment of guerrilla cadres is still intact. Authorities claim to be working on a fresh policy to deal with the so-called hybrid militants and over-ground workers (OGWs) but the peoples’ engagement with the government, particularly with the Police and security forces, is still minimal. This continues to be Modi’s biggest challenge in J&K after August 2019.

In the midst of a political vacuum exists a sizable constituency of optimism which expects Modi to deliver on his promise of ‘Naya Kashmir’.

A visible developmental revolution like a grid of the four-lane road connectivity linking all districts in Kashmir and Jammu regions, connecting schools and colleges through a network of smart classrooms, upgradation of services at all hospitals, supply of uninterrupted power and drinking water, a big employment package and regularisation of the services of contractual and need-based staff could break the jinx of alienation, disappointment and cynicism in the post-2019 Jammu and Kashmir.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: Bells start ringing in Kashmir valley

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Kashmiri scientist solves mystery behind Rift Valley Fever

The World Health Organization lists Rift Valley Fever as a prioritised disease likely to cause epidemics in the near future….reports Asian Lite News

Kashmir based virologist has discovered the latest outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus in human cells, according to media reports.

Dr Safder Ganaie, based in the US found that the RVF virus, spread by mosquitoes, enters human cells through a protein.

“The discovery by Dr Ganaie and his colleagues was recently published in the journal Cell. Dr Ganaie and his team found that the Rift Valley Fever virus, spread by mosquitoes, enters human cells through a protein normally involved in mopping up low-density lipoproteins – the carriers of so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ — from the blood,” a news magazine published from Srinagar reported.

According to Kashmir Life, the discovery is expected to lead to therapies that prevent Rift Valley Fever or reduce its severity.

The World Health Organization lists Rift Valley Fever as a prioritised disease likely to cause epidemics in the near future. The virus is spread by mosquitos among domesticated animals, which then pass it on to people.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, University of Toronto, Harvard University, and Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, as per Kashmir Life.

Dr Ganaie was the lead author of the study. He received his master’s degree from the University of Kashmir before moving to the United States for further studies. There, he got a doctorate in virology with honours from the University of Kansas, as per the reports. (ANI)

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Pak PM Sharif to rake up ‘Kashmir’

Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan will not become a part of any war and will promote peace on international level, PML-N sources said, indicating broad contours of the new federal government’s foreign policy….reports Asian Lite News

The government led by Shehbaz Sharif in Pakistan will establish contacts with friendly countries following the policy of peace and equality, and trade with these states will be enhanced, Express Tribune reported.

“The new government will raise the Kashmir issue on all international forums,” Express Tribune reported.

The federal government will work with the Chinese government to expedite the CPEC projects and further expand relations with Afghanistan.

Pakistan will not become a part of any war and will promote peace on international level, PML-N sources said, indicating broad contours of the new federal government’s foreign policy.

The new government would maintain relations with the US on the basis of equality with a “clear principle of no do more” and take Parliament into confidence on all important decisions on foreign affairs.

Sources said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would formulate guidelines on the foreign policy in consultation with the military leadership and that the new government would strengthen relations with all Muslim states and other countries.

It has been decided that Pakistan will not interfere in the internal affairs of any country nor would it become a part of any nation’s war policy, the report said.

ALSO READ: Bells start ringing in Kashmir valley

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Bells start ringing in Kashmir valley


Sharing their happiness and lending them support were the local Muslims. Under the banner of the J&K Peace Forum, they joined an inter-community Navreh Milan at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, which has not seen anything like this in the past three decades…reports Deepika Bhan

Over the past few days, certain events in Kashmir have come as a surprise.

Groups from the majority and minority communities, which had been torn apart following the Pakistan-supported terror being unleashed in the valley in 1989-90, are gradually trying to make a new beginning by putting the past behind them.

These groups have been working silently and cautiously to remove mistrust and build confidence. Their first step was to hold a ‘Navreh puja’ followed by ‘Navreh Milan’ to celebrate the beginning of the Kashmiri New Year in Srinagar on April 2. The day, incidentally, was also the eve of the month of Ramzan.

Atop the Hari Parbat hillock located in the heart of Srinagar, amid the chanting of hymns, tolling bells and the blowing of conch shells, the city looked as if it had travelled back in time by 32 years when the Mata Sharika Temple used to be thronged by Kashimiri Pandits on the occasion of ‘Navreh’.

Navreh meant a special puja at the temple, a simple place of worship that has stood there for ages overlooking the valley below. For the past 32 years, since Kashmiri Pandits were forced out, the temple bells had fallen silent, but on Saturday (April 2), the past came alive when hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits performed the worship together.

What also came alive was Hindu-Muslim bonhomie, which is the true essence of Kashmiriyat, but had fallen apart as a result of the targeting of the minority community in the valley. Nearly seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley in 1990 and subsequent years after Pakistan-backed terrorists wreaked havoc.

After more than three decades, the silence was broken and the two communities came together to celebrate the age-old festival.

For the worshippers, it was a very emotional moment of having been able to do something fearlessly that they have yearned for in all these 32 years of displacement. Each one of them prayed for peace in the valley, their return and living together with the majority community as was the case three decades ago.

Sharing their happiness and lending them support were the local Muslims. Under the banner of the J&K Peace Forum, they joined an inter-community Navreh Milan at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, which has not seen anything like this in the past three decades.

At the Milan, scenes of Hindu-Muslim bonhomie were seen. Local Kashmiri Muslims in good numbers participated in the celebrations and artistes from the community presented skits and songs.

“Such an activity has not been seen in the valley after we left. It is really heartening to see the response,” Satish Mahaldar, Chairman of the J&K Peace Forum, said after the Navreh Milan.

He said the presence of the majority community during the festive occasion sent across a positive message to the Kashmiri Pandits, and added that common folk in the valley want to live peacefully and return to the pre-1990 years.

The good turnout of local residents for the Navreh Milan has come as a surprise for many, but for the organisers, it was all about tapping the latent emotion that has got overwhelmed by the terror threat.

“Kashmiri Pandits have suffered, we have suffered. They belong to this place. They have to return,” said Ali Mohammad, the Forum’s general secretary. “The event we organised was not a political event. We are common people trying to get together again. It is an effort by the common people.”

The good number of Muslims who attended the event have sent out a positive message to the organisers. They said more such events needed to be done to bring the two communities together. “The more interaction happens, the better it will be for all. We have to live together and for that, concrete steps need to be taken,” Mahaldar said.

The fact that terrorism continues to raise its ugly head, albeit occasionally, is proving to be the hurdle in the mass rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. Last year, a few targeted killings sent shock waves among the minorities in the valley and suddenly everything seemed to be falling apart all over again.

Peace in the valley continues to be fragile and for Kashmiri Pandits to permanently return to their homes, a lot needs to be done at the local level.

The Navreh Milan should be an eye-opener for those who have supported the separatist agenda and created a wedge between the majority and the minority in Kashmir. The common Kashmiri, fed up with the continued violence in the valley, longs to go back to the pre-1990 era when people lived peacefully and cohesively.

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Kashmir’s own hand-knotted carpet joins GI tag club

The GI label will assist the tourism industry by projecting a positive image of Kashmir. It’s a useful market-access tool as it adds value to the items that are designated this title, allowing them to access larger markets…reports Asian Lite News

Kashmir created history last month when for the first time GI-certified Kashmir silken carpets were exported to Germany, valued at around 40,000 Euros. Last year Srinagar scored a place in the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Crafts and Folk Arts Category for 2021. Following this development by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, launched Geographical Indication (GI) for the famed hand-knotted Kashmiri Carpets and granted the carpet trade a new lease of life.

Kashmiri hand-knotted carpets locally known as ‘Kalbaffi’ date their origin back to the 15th century. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin brought in carpet weavers from Persia and Central Asia to train the locals. These carpets are weighed in gold owing to the finesse of the weave and quality of wool and silk yarn.

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

The GI label will assist the tourism industry by projecting a positive image of Kashmir. It’s a useful market-access tool as it adds value to the items that are designated this title, allowing them to access larger markets.

The QR-code on all items will reveal information such as the name of the artisan, district of manufacture, knots per square inch, and the raw material used, among others. The GI branding will fetch the carpets their worth and will raise their standards to the Iranian and Turkish knotted carpet varieties.

Kashmir has long suffered due to misbranding of products in the international market claiming that they are Kashmir-brand. The cheap quality knock-offs in the international market eroded the trust of buyers. GI-tagging is a one-stop solution to all those problems that have low-balled the price of the original Kashmiri carpets. This initiative will motivate the younger generation to move to carpet weaving and shift their attention from the widespread terrorism in the valley to income generation.

In 2020-21, Germany emerged as the biggest importer of Kashmiri carpets worth Rs 115 crore. The UAE was the second biggest market at Rs 36 crore; and the US at Rs 34 crore. The Netherlands imported artwork worth Rs 22 crore.

The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CPEC), set up by the Ministry of Textile, has proposed the formation of a carpet village in the Sonawari area to regulate this business and secure jobs for the weavers. The village is envisioned to be a one-stop-shop for all carpet and weave needs for outsiders. The designs would be copyrighted for future generations. The tourism sector will highly benefit through this too as people will witness the art first-hand and it will increase their confidence in the product.

GI tag has been embraced by many colonies across the world as a mark of the originality of their produce. Switzerland does it for their watches, Russia for its Bashkir honey, Georgia for Tushuri Guda cheese, and the French for their specialty wine. It will be a guarantee to the buyers that their carpet was actually woven in Kashmir and by a Kashmiri.

The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Srinagar, has the authority to certify the carpets. First, the carpet dealers have to apply for the GI license and get their products audited for brand value. The products will be tested for standardization in knotting, the complexity of design, superiority/inferiority of silk used, and other such parameters. It takes Rs 150 per testing to get the tag. Customers who are unable to scan the barcode can check the product’s authenticity by typing an alphanumeric code found on the label into a web browser. The label has information that can be read with infrared equipment, and which cannot be reproduced or damaged. With this technology the government can map the movement of every single carpet and analyze market trends with it as well.

To partake in this programme artisans and manufacturers have to register with the Indian federal government’s office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks. The Geographical Indications Registry of India notes 25 authorized users in Kashmir as of now. And so far 54,000 artisans are registered with the Department of Handloom & Handicrafts in Kashmir.

A huge metamorphosis has taken shape in the JKUT post-2019. One such landmark change is the boost in sales of the nine products that were issued the GI tag — Kani Shawl, Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozini Craft, Kashmir Papier-Mache, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband, Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpets, Kashmir Saffron, and Basmati Rice.

In the past two years, Jammu & Kashmir Trade and Export Policy has been restructured per the suggestions by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. In the last few months, the UT government busied itself organising a myriad of buyer-seller meets, promotion events, and international publicity of handicraft and handloom products in the markets across the Gulf countries, especially at the Dubai Expo 2020.

With the LG’s visit to Dubai earlier this year and the subsequent visit of Gulf’s top-drawer businessmen that arrived last month, Jammu and Kashmir has solidified its relationship by signing six agreements to bring investments worth more than $2.5 billion (approximately Rs 18,568 crores) in the Union Territory and is expecting to attract another 70,000 crores in the following six months. All these events are in line with PM Modi’s vision of putting J&K on the world map, benefitting the common man ultimately.

In the last 3.5 years this industry and craftsmen have suffered, first because of insurgency and then because of frequent calls for ‘Hartal’ by separatist leaders. But this new dawn in the UT is addressing the challenges faced by industry and to create a sustainable, balanced, progressive, and competitive ecosystem in J&K.

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Bajwa reaches out to India to resolve disputes

Gen Qamar Bajwa indicated that Pakistan is ready to talk with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue, reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said that his country is ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees, Dawn reported.

“Pakistan continues to believe in using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute and is ready to move forward on this front if India also agrees to do so,” he said.

He had made similar comments at the Islamabad Security Dialogue last year when he had said it was time for both countries to “bury the past and move forward”.

Gen Bajwa highlighted the importance of keeping conflict away from the region, he said Pakistan wanted the Sino-India border to be resolved soon through diplomacy and dialogue as well, Dawn reported.

“I believe it is time for the political leadership of the region to rise above their emotional and perceptional biases and break the shackles of history to bring peace and prosperity to almost three billion people of the region.

“Pakistan recognises that it is the regions and not countries that grow. This is why we believe that peace and stability in our wider region are prerequisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development. In this regard, our doors are open for all our neighbours,” the COAS said.

During his speech, Gen Bajwa termed India’s accidental launching of a supersonic cruise missile into Pakistan on March 9 a matter of “serious concern”, saying “we expect India to provide evidence to assure Pakistan and the world that their weapons are safe and secure”.

“Unlike other incidents involving strategic weapons systems, this is the first time in history that a supersonic cruise missile from one nuclear-armed nation has landed in another,” he said.

The incident had raised “serious concerns” about India’s ability to manage and operate high-end weapons systems, Gen Bajwa said, adding that the neighbouring country’s “indifferent attitude in not informing Pakistan immediately about the inadvertent launch” was equally concerning, Dawn reported.

Last month, Pakistan had said it wishes to have mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours including India and resolve all outstanding disputes. Pakistan Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Aftab Hassan Khan had stressed that it is essential to resolve the core issue for lasting peace and stability in the region.

India on several occasions has said that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. India’s consistent position is that issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

New Delhi has maintained that the onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive environment.

Pakistan continues to sponsor cross border terrorism against India; restrict normal trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges; and engage in hostile and fabricated propaganda to vilify India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs annual report.

Last year, both countries had renewed ceasefire understanding between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).

The understanding held quite well for the first few months, but Pakistan again upped the ante in terms of cross-border infiltrations and ceasefire violations from July 2021.

‘Working with neighbours to combat terrorism’

Pakistan is working with the Afghan caretaker government and other neighbours to ensure that terrorist groups are no longer allowed to use the territory of one country against another, General Bajwa said.

“We are committed to preserving our gains against terrorism and a peaceful and prosperous West and South Asia is our goal,” Bajwa added on Saturday at the Islamabad Security Dialogue.

He said the conflict in Afghanistan for decades has created negative externalities and spillover effects, which have adversely impacted Pakistan’s economy, society and security, adding that Pakistan continues to work closely with the international community to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Army Chief added that it is the collective responsibility of the international community towards the people of Afghanistan to ensure that timely and adequate humanitarian aid flows into the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Instead of imposing sanctions which have never worked, the world must incentivise Afghans for their positive behavioural change, he said.

“Unfortunately, lack of financial flows and continued sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan,” he added at the two-day security dialogue.

Doha hosts talks on Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation

Pakistan believes that peace and stability in the wider region are prerequisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development, Bajwa added.

Regarding Pakistan-US relations, the Army Chief said Pakistan wants to strengthen ties with the US, but not at the cost of others.

“Pakistan is positioning itself as a melting pot for a positive global economic interest through our focus on connectivity, development and friendship,” he added.

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Gulf delegation in Kashmir for ‘Investment Summit’

To get a first hand feel of the ground situation, these delegates are scheduled to travel to places in north, south and central districts of the valley during the next two days….reports Asian Lite News

 Delegates of 33 companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia are attending the ‘Investment Summit’ in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday.

The summit, being held at the international convention complex on the banks of the Dal Lake, is expected to pave way for investments across various sectors in the union territory.

On Monday, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha hosted a dinner for the delegates. Sinha said on his official twitter page: “Hosted dinner for entrepreneurs and CEOs from Gulf countries who are on a visit to explore business opportunities in J&K. We are committed to make J&K UT the most preferred investment destination”.

Senior officials of these UAE-based companies, which included the Roya International Group, Al-Tayer Group, Intercontinental Dubai, Hanadi Trading Est. Promoter, Al-Hashemi Group, Rawaaj Partner Representative of the Rulers Office in Abu Dhabi, Al Mal Capital and others are attending the summit.

To get a first hand feel of the ground situation, these delegates are scheduled to travel to places in north, south and central districts of the valley during the next two days.

“We are also aiming for exports and the local entrepreneurs will be showcasing their start ups and products today.

“Especially women entrepreneurs under the ‘Hausla’ programme will display their products and startups.

“Starters in handicrafts, handloom and other exportable products are showcasing their products on the sidelines”, Ankita Kar, managing director of Jammu and Kashmir trade promotion organisation (JKTPO) told IANS.

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Amit Shah reviews security situation in J&K

The court has discharged three namely Kamran Yusuf, Javed Ahmad Bhatt and Syedah Aasiya Firdous Andrabi…reports Asian Lite News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials.

An official statement said, “The Home Minister appreciated the improvement in the security situation, reduction in terror incidents from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021 and decrease in number of security personnel martyred from 91 in 2018 to 42 in 2021.

“Amit Shah emphasised on proactive operations against terrorists and denying them safe haven or financial support. He directed the security forces and the police to ensure real-time coordination for effective counter-terrorism operations and monitoring activities of terrorists from jails. He ordered further strengthening of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Jammu and Kashmir to choke narco terrorism.”

As per the statement, Shah said the security grid should be further strengthened to ensure zero cross-border infiltration and to eliminate terrorism completely in order to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

Court frames charges against Yasin Malik

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has framed charges against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and others under various sections of UAPA in connection with a terror funding case.

Kashmiri separatist leaders including Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masarat Alam, former MLA Rashid Engineer, businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Bitta Karate, Aftab Ahmad Shah, Avatar Ahmad Shah, Naeem Khan, Bashir Ahmed Bhat, alias Peer Saifullah and several others have also been framed charges for criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country and other unlawful activities.

In the order dated March 16, the NIA special Judge Praveen Singh said: “The above analysis reflects that the statements of witnesses and documentary evidence have connected almost all the accused with each other and to a common object of secession, to the commonality of means they were to use, their close association to terrorist/terrorist organisations under the guiding hand and funding of Pakistani establishment.”

Notably, the court has discharged three namely Kamran Yusuf, Javed Ahmad Bhatt and Syedah Aasiya Firdous Andrabi.

The case related to the various terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) backed by Islamic State were perpetrated terrorist and secessionist activities that disturbed the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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