SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday has pleaded for opening up the State to the outside world and its opportunities.
The spokesman said the geographical positioning of the State makes its gateway to Central Asia and that position ought to be used for opening up its people to the outside world. “By reopening the traditional and historic routes in the State, we shall be writing a new history”, Mehbooba said.
Mehbooba Mufti suggested making Jammu & Kashmir a model State with connectivity all across so that it becomes a model for SAARC cooperation in the region. “Let’s make it a model for cooperation at the bigger scale in the region”, she added.
The Chief Minister said it is the duty of every citizen of the country to come forward and help Jammu & Kashmir in coming out of these uncertainties. “People of the State ought to be given a sense of belonging because the idea of India is incomplete without the idea of Jammu & Kashmir. Reconciliation is the way ahead”, she said.
The Chief Minister exuded confidence in the deep roots of values and ethos which the people of the State have displayed at critical times. “See how many young boys rushed to donate blood when Amarnath yatries were attacked or who can forget that boatman who drowned himself to save a tourist. Kashmiriyat is deep-rooted to be affected by any outside influence”, she added.
On the measures taken by her Government, the Chief Minister said the amnesty for youth recently announced by her is aimed at giving them a chance to a peaceful life hereafter. She hoped with the appointment of an Interlocutor the way forward for reconciliation has been laid out.
