Srinagar, Aug 23: Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh today said the mindset of people, particularly the youth in Kashmir, had started changing amid improvements in peace, normalcy and development in Jammu and Kashmir, while calling for stronger grassroots engagement with common citizens in the Valley.
Addressing the State Office Bearers’ Meet of the J&K BJP here, Singh said the changing aspirations of the younger generation needed to be matched by sustained interaction with people to understand their concerns and ensure that the benefits of development reached citizens effectively.
“The mindset of the common people, especially the youngsters, has started to change. They have seen how bad the situation was for over three decades, with three generations having faced it. But today’s youngsters do not want to miss the opportunities available to them,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, the Minister said the shift was particularly visible among youngsters who had grown up amid decades of difficult circumstances but were now increasingly focused on education, careers and opportunities.
He linked the change in public sentiment to what he described as an improvement in the situation in Kashmir over the past 12 years under the Narendra Modi Government.
“The atmosphere has changed. Peace is returning, normalcy is returning and developmental works are progressing at a faster pace. Along with this, the mindset of the common person, especially the youngsters, has started to change,” he said.
Singh said the changing aspirations were reflected in the performance of young people from J&K in civil services examinations and their selection to engineering and medical colleges.
“You can see how well the youngsters of J&K are performing in civil services examinations and in engineering and medical colleges. They are highly aspirational and determined to move forward,” he said.
At the BJP meeting, the Minister called for deeper grassroots engagement, saying continuous interaction with common citizens would help strengthen public participation in the development process and keep different sections of society connected with the broader growth trajectory of J&K.
“The youth of Kashmir are highly aspirational and keen to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s growth story,” he said, stressing the need to connect the younger generation with the country’s wider development journey.
Linking peace with development, Singh said the two “reinforce each other”, with a peaceful environment creating conditions for faster development while development generates greater confidence and opportunities among people.
He said the transformation was particularly significant for a generation that had witnessed prolonged instability.
“We are among those who have seen that painful period of 35 years. We are fortunate to be witnessing this phase of prosperity and a changed situation,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the Northeast, the Minister said the impact of development and an improved situation could also be seen in the changing mindset of people.
He said his experience of working in the region had shown that direct interaction with people at the grassroots could build greater understanding and confidence, adding that the same approach was relevant in J&K.
Singh also highlighted what he described as the inclusive approach of the Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying welfare and development schemes were implemented for eligible beneficiaries without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or voting preference.
Referring to schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala, he said benefits were extended on the basis of eligibility rather than political considerations.
The Minister said J&K had considerable untapped potential, particularly in agriculture, water resources and other sectors, and that greater utilisation of these resources could accelerate economic development.
He cited lavender cultivation as an example of emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector and also referred to the construction of new dams.
“The resources and assets of J&K were never fully explored and developed. Whether it is our rivers or the agriculture sector, there is enormous potential. Lavender cultivation and the purple revolution are examples of new opportunities,” he said.
He said J&K would have an important role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
“When India celebrates 100 years of Independence, J&K should also be able to say that its people played an important role in taking the country to that pinnacle,” Singh said.
On National Space Day, Singh highlighted India’s achievements in the space sector and said the country had never lacked talent but had earlier lacked the enabling environment needed to harness it fully.
Referring to the Chandrayaan-3 mission, he said India had become the first country to land near the Moon’s South Polar region, describing it as a milestone in the country’s space journey.
“India never had a shortage of human resources or talent. What was lacking was the enabling support from those in power. That support came under Prime Minister Modi,” he said.
Singh said the opening of the space sector to private participation had further expanded opportunities and contributed to the growth of India’s space economy.
“The space sector has now been opened to the private sector, and with the growth of the space economy, India has joined the leading countries of the world,” he said.
