SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a transformation, particularly in the education, women’s empowerment, and economic sectors.
Speaking in Shopian, the LG highlighted the changing mindsets and decline of narratives that once discouraged community participation in initiatives like Army Goodwill Schools.
“There was a time when people were told not to send their children to Army Goodwill Schools. Narratives were created to instill fear and mistrust. But I ask—if our soldiers can guard the borders, why can’t they help educate our children?” Sinha said.
He said that such propaganda has weakened over the last five years, with growing recognition of the education quality in these schools.
Sinha said Army Goodwill Schools have become symbols of hope in remote and conflict-affected areas, with students becoming responsible citizens and excelling in competitive fields.
Highlighting women’s progress, he said thousands across JK have joined Self Help Groups (SHGs) and become job providers. Citing schemes like NRLM, Umeed, and Tejaswini, he said women are gaining skills, financial support, and mentorship to start businesses and achieve independence.
In areas like Shopian, SHGs are active in horticulture, food processing, tailoring, and agri-business. “The confidence on their faces says it all—they believe in themselves and in the future,” he added.
LG said JK’s economy has doubled in the last five years due to good governance, better law and order, and increased public participation. “This growth is visible in roads, schools, digital infrastructure, and livelihoods, and we hope this progress continues,” he said. (KNO).
