First time in ranking development, J&K competing with other states: LG Sinha

Stating that the Prime Minister’s efforts have fulfilled the dreams of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that every citizen of the Union Territory has got equal rights while fear-free, corruption-free system has been established and for the first time in the ranking of development, Jammu and Kashmir is competing with other developed States/UTs of the country.

Speaking at the book release function of ‘The Architect of the new BJP: How Narendra Modi Transformed The Party’, authored by Ajay Singh and launched by Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh here, Sinha said that Narendra Modi has shaped a new era of Indian politics with his solemn focus on development of the last man on the ladder of social development.

“Through his Bottom Up approach in administration & converting individuals as stakeholders in the development journey, PM has ensured public-centric polity in the country”, the Lt Governor noted.

Congratulating the veteran Journalist and the author of the book, Ajay Singh, the Lt Governor lauded the author for his in-depth research for bringing out various aspects related to the journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stands tallest amongst world’s leaders and has changed the discourse of Indian Politics.

“I would also like to add another aspect to this – in Narendra Modi, the country has got a Prime Minister who is epitome of politics of grace and moral values and has restored personal and political morality in public life,” the Lt Governor added.

“The book aptly explores the leadership and organizational skills of our Prime Minister, depicting the unique Modi phenomena in governance, organizational set up and reveals how he has single handedly changed the Indian Politics,” said Sinha adding that hundreds of books have been written on Prime Minister and all the authors have worked very hard, but Ajay Singh has touched the lesser known facts about PM Modi and his connect with common masses.

After independence, he said that there were many leaders in India who left their mark on Indian politics and contributed towards the development of the country.

“But the way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a world leader, as a party builder, as a statesman and as an international icon has connected the last person in the queue with the mainstream of development is unparalleled,” Sinha said adding, “He has not only influenced the country’s economy, socio-policy, cultural revival, national and global policy but also bridged the urban-rural divide and established equality and fraternity which sets him apart from the other greats of Indian Politics.”

His politics is transformational in the true sense which has changed the way the world looks at India today. Equally important is the widespread popular support he continues to receive for his visionary initiatives focused on upliftment of the under-privileged and making India Atma-Nirbhar, the Lt Governor further added.

The Lt Governor said, Prime Minister, by making better use of communication tools, social media, not only ensured easy access of government programmes, but has institutionalized feedback mechanisms to better understand the needs of the general public. This two-way communication of top leadership has made every citizen an active stakeholder in the governance.

The author has also explored the unique welfare programmes of the Modi government in the last 8 years and its impact on the life of the common people which has never happened before in the whole world at such a speed and scale.

Under the Garib Kalyan Program, revolutionary initiatives like Food Support, Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have been implemented on the ground, the Lt Governor added.

Complete merger of Jammu and Kashmir was being discussed since 1947, he said stating, “On August 8, 2019 after the revocation of Article 370 and 35A in his address to the nation, the Prime Minister had said that the Special Status only gave separatism, terrorism, familism and rampant corruption to Jammu and Kashmir.”

Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Ram Bahadur Rai, President, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Trust; Prof. Mahesh Rangarajan, Professor of History and Environmental Studies, Ashoka University; Prof. Ramesh C Gaur, HoD, Kala Nidhi, IGNCA; writers; intellectuals and prominent public figures were present on the occasion at Samvet Auditorium, Janpath Building.