SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district, and said border settlements should be seen as India’s “first villages” and gateways to the country rather than its periphery.
Karol Krishna, along with Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal and Kadiyala, is covered under the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-2).
During his visit, Sinha handed over benefits under various government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing residents of the six strategic villages, he said development in border areas had gained momentum in recent years, with improvements in roads, electricity, telecommunications and education.
“I always believe that this land is not India’s last village but India’s first village and the gateway where our nation begins,” Sinha said.
He said all 216 border villages in Kathua district had been connected by roads and fully electrified, while telecommunications and television access had reached households.
Sinha said poverty had declined, migration to cities had been reduced by half and rural incomes had increased by 30 per cent. He also said employment opportunities had expanded, with unemployment falling to nearly half of earlier levels.
More than 2,000 individual and community bunkers have also been constructed for the safety of border residents, he said.
“Our goal should be that the entire population moves above the poverty line,” the LG said.
Highlighting the role of women in the local economy, Sinha said more than 1,300 self-help groups had been formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, benefiting over 12,000 families. Women are engaged in tailoring, embroidery, handicrafts and other small enterprises, he said.
Sinha said government schools in border areas now had improved facilities, digital classrooms and vocational training, and urged young people to pursue opportunities in agriculture, tourism, defence-support services and traditional crafts.
He outlined four priorities for border villages — making them self-reliant by connecting them to markets, creating more opportunities for youth, strengthening healthcare and telemedicine services, and improving security infrastructure.
“Development and security are not separate goals but two pillars of the same goal. Only a secure village can become a prosperous village, and only prosperous villages can build a self-reliant and developed India,” he said.
Sinha also said the Vibrant Villages Programme was aimed not only at infrastructure development but also at improving livelihoods and strengthening the sense of security among border communities.
Calling upon residents and youth to take greater responsibility for the future of their villages, he said the government would address any gaps in development.
During his visit to the Karol Krishna Border Out Post, Sinha interacted with BSF personnel and commended their role in guarding the border, including their service during Operation Sindoor. He stressed the need for continued vigilance against hostile activities.
Sinha also assured residents that their demands would be taken up for prompt resolution.
Hiranagar MLA Vijay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary Power Development Department Ashwani Kumar, Jammu IGP Bhim Sen Tuti, IG BSF Asif Jalal and senior civil and police officials were present during the visit.
