PRIME Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Kashmir is the crown of the country, and he desires that this crown should shine better and become more glorious in the days to come. The Prime Minister said this after inaugurating and dedicating the Sonamarg tunnel to the nation. PM Modi started his speech by lauding the hard work of the workers who worked to make the Sonamarg tunnel possible and were not deterred from making the supreme sacrifice. He offered tribute to civilian workers, who laid down their lives during the construction of the tunnel he inaugurated. He said despite the grave danger to their lives, no worker wanted to go home after the terrorists attacked the Gagangir workers camp. “Nobody wanted to go home even after we lost seven friends to terrorism. My tribute to those martyrs who gave their lives for the country.”

 

“Kashmir is the crown of India and it is my desire that this crown should become more shining and glorious. In this endeavour, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are helping me. I assure you that any roadblock in the way of realising your dreams will be removed,” the PM assured the people. He said two days back Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had uploaded some pictures and videos around the tunnel. By seeing those, his eagerness to be here increased. “When I worked here as a BJP worker, I spent a lot of time in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Ganderbal and Baramulla. It used to snow heavily even in those days. But, the warmth of the people of J&K did not make you feel the cold. Today is a great day, crores of people are taking part in the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh. Lohri is being celebrated in Punjab. This is the period of the 40-day intense cold of ‘Chillai Kalan’, which people face with a smile in Kashmir. People are coming to Sonamarg from different parts of the country and enjoy your hospitality,” said PM Modi. “I recently inaugurated the Jammu rail division.

 

Today I have dedicated Sonamarg tunnel to the country and the people of J&K and Ladakh,” he said. In a public display of bonhomie, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exchanged warm gestures with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is an ally of the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc. The Prime Minister also assured people of the Union Territory that he will walk side-by-side with them and remove all hurdles in achieving their dreams. Referring to Omar Abdullah’s demand for statehood, PM Modi said, “Modi always fulfills his promise. Every promise will be fulfilled at the right time. Every decision has a proper time when it is taken,” the PM said. “This tunnel was started by us, and it is my decision that whatever work we start we must also inaugurate. Sonamarg and the entire area here will get a great boost. In days to come, road and railway projects will be completed. The Valley will soon be connected through railways. New roads, colleges, etc., it will be a ‘Naya Kashmir’ that we have been speaking about,” said the PM. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered the welcome address. He paid tribute to seven civilians killed by terrorists in the Gagangir area on October 20. He also mentioned people killed during the last 35 years by terrorists, including leaders and workers of his party, the National Conference (NC). “Your August presence, Hon’ble Prime Minister is proof of the fact that we will not allow forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the country to succeed,” the CM said.

 

He said people waited for long years for the Sonamarg tunnel and the people living in otherwise cut-off Sonamarg will not have to abandon their homes during the winter months now. The CM lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister for ensuring peace on the borders in J&K. He said the PM’s mission of ending ‘Dil Ki Doori, Aur Dili Se Doori’ is being proved through the PM’s efforts. He praised the PM for ensuring peaceful, fair elections in J&K. The Chief Minister said, “You also promised (Assembly) elections within four months and you stayed true to your words. People got an opportunity to take part in the voting and today I am participating in this programme as Chief Minister.” Referring to Modi’s speech during his visit to Srinagar on International Yoga Day last year, the Chief Minister said, “My heart says that very soon, you will fulfill your third promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir which is the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.” Before the PM’s address, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressed the public rally. He said to make a self-reliant India, we have to ensure road connectivity and infrastructure development.