Srinagar, July 4: Touched by Kashmir’s hospitality, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday appealed to Indians to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
“I want to tell the public that the people here are waiting to welcome with their hearts filled with love and warmth. So, come here without fear and set a new example of love and brotherhood.” Chouhan said.
The agriculture and rural development minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the sixth convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST).
The convocation was also attended by J-K LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah.
The Union minister’s appeal comes after a slump in tourism in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 25 tourists and a local pony operator were gunned down by terrorists.
“I’ve been in Srinagar since yesterday. The cool breeze, the fragrance of the soil, the natural beauty, and the warmth of the people have truly touched my heart. Jammu and Kashmir is the crown jewel of India. Yesterday, we had an in-depth review with the Chief Minister on agriculture and rural development. We held extensive discussions on accelerating Jammu & Kashmir’s development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’, and for that, a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. We are fully committed to achieving this goal,” he said.
“I also visited Dal Lake and took a shikara ride there. An emotional incident that touched my heart was when a shikara wala asked me ‘Mama, ask the people to come here. Our hearts are filled with love for them,’” he said.
Referring to a past meeting of the NITI Aayog, Chouhan told CM Omar Abdullah, “You had emotionally appealed to ministers to come to Jammu & Kashmir and hold advisory committee meetings. You highlighted how internal conditions are stable and only disturbed by external elements. We accepted your invitation and held the advisory committee meeting yesterday.”