SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for further enhancing grassroots connect with common citizens in the Kashmir valley and said that the youth of Kashmir is highly aspirational and keen to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s growth story.
He said that greater engagement with citizens, particularly the younger generation, would help strengthen their participation in the opportunities emerging from the country’s development journey.
The remarks came while addressing the State Office Bearers’ Meet of J&K BJP at Nowgam, Srinagar. The meeting commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by J&K BJP leaders, marking the auspicious beginning of the organisational gathering.
J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma addressed the gathering and shared his vision for strengthening the organisation and advancing the collective resolve towards a developed, prosperous and empowered Jammu & Kashmir. Senior BJP leaders and office bearers, including General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, Gopal Mahajan and Anwar Khan, were also present.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said Jammu & Kashmir has been witnessing a changing environment, with normal life getting restored and development gaining momentum. He said the progress being made in the Union Territory has created a new sense of opportunity, particularly among the younger generation, which is increasingly looking towards education, professional growth, entrepreneurship and wider opportunities.
Referring to the aspirations of the youth of Kashmir, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the younger generation is highly aspirational and does not want to miss the opportunities available to it. He said young people from the Valley are increasingly making their mark in competitive examinations, higher education and the private sector, reflecting a growing desire to move forward and build a better future.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, this growing aspiration among the youth needs to be matched by sustained engagement and greater grassroots connect. Dr. Jitendra Singh called for continuous interaction with common citizens so that their aspirations, expectations and concerns can be understood more closely and the benefits of development can reach people effectively.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said peace and development reinforce each other. An environment of peace creates conditions for faster development, while development generates greater confidence and opportunities among people. He said Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing this positive relationship, with the restoration of normalcy providing a stronger foundation for development and growth.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the transformation taking place in Jammu & Kashmir is particularly significant for the younger generation, which has grown up during a very different period and is now witnessing a wider range of opportunities. The priority, he said, should be to connect this generation with the larger development journey of the country and enable it to realise its aspirations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also referred to the inclusive approach of the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that development and welfare programmes have been implemented for eligible citizens without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or voting preference.
Citing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala among the welfare initiatives, he said the benefits of such programmes have reached deserving households on the basis of their eligibility, without any consideration of vote bank. He said the focus of governance has been on ensuring that people receive the benefits they are entitled to, irrespective of their political preferences.
Drawing upon his experience of working in the North-East, Dr. Jitendra Singh said direct interaction with people at the grassroots had played an important role in building greater understanding and confidence. He said sustained personal engagement helps establish a stronger connect with citizens and enables people to experience the approach of an organisation directly.
Dr Jitendra Singh said this approach of reaching out to people and maintaining continuous grassroots engagement is equally relevant in Jammu & Kashmir. Greater interaction with common citizens, he said, can help strengthen participation in the development process and ensure that the aspirations of different sections of society remain closely connected with the broader growth journey of the Union Territory.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the aspirations of Kashmir’s youth represent an important opportunity for the future of Jammu & Kashmir. With increasing access to education, professional opportunities and development, the younger generation is looking towards a future defined by growth, achievement and participation.
He said the collective focus should be on strengthening this positive momentum through development, wider opportunities and deeper engagement with citizens. Stronger grassroots connect, he said, would help ensure that the benefits of the ongoing transformation are accompanied by greater public participation and confidence.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the aspirations of the youth and the pace of development in Jammu & Kashmir would together contribute to a stronger and more prosperous future for the Union Territory, with its young population playing an important role in India’s growth story.
