The North News
Katra, February 15
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has described ‘New Kashmir’ as a place where trust is being restored and faith rewarded, marking a sharp departure from its past conflicts. Speaking at the 10th convocation ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday, Dhankhar highlighted the region’s transformation, citing record voter turnout, economic investments, and rising aspirations.
“The change is not imperceptible; it is perceptible. Perception has changed, ground reality is changing, hopes of the people are soaring,” he said. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest voter turnout in 35 years, with participation in the Kashmir Valley increasing by 30 percentage points. “Democracy has found its real voice, its real resonance,” he added.
Economic revival was central to his speech, as he revealed that investment proposals worth Rs 65,000 crore have been received in just two years. For the first time since 2019, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has entered the region, with international companies showing strong interest. “Jammu and Kashmir is now a confluence of confidence and capital,” he said.
“The aspirations of generations found wings when the constitutional walls of separation crumbled in 2019,” he said. Tourism, too, has surged, with over two crore visitors recorded in 2023, boosting the local economy. “What was once called heaven on earth is now a symbol of hope and prosperity,” Dhankhar remarked.
The Vice-President also echoed a long-standing nationalist sentiment, citing the demand for ‘Ek Desh Mein Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan’ (One Nation, One Flag, One Constitution) as having been fulfilled. “Where there was once disorder, we now witness real order and stability,” he said.
Urging people to prioritize national interest above all else, he called for shedding colonial-era laws and embracing a more just system. “We must march ahead, fast-tracking our journey toward a developed Bharat,” he said.
India, he noted, is now a global player, attracting investment and wielding influence. “Never before in our history since independence has the voice of an Indian Prime Minister been so resonant with global leaders,” he said.
