JAMMU, Feb 15;Hon'ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar presided over 10th Convocation Ceremony of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and awarded the meritorious students of the institute in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir today.
Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also attended the event.
Vice President while addressing Students said “You are the most vital stakeholders of democracy. I quote Rabindranath Tagore, who envisioned what Bharat should be: "Where the mind is without fear, And the head is held high..." We missed this ecosystem for a very long time. But now, boys and girls, you are living in times where your mind can be without fear because our economy is blossoming, and the nation's rise is being accoladed by global institutions as a favourite destination of investment and opportunity.”
Vice President further said “ first came to Jammu and Kashmir in early 80s, when I visited Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other places along with my family. The second visit was a very painful experience. I was elected to Parliament in 1989. I came to Srinagar as a Member of the Council of Ministers. We did not see even dozens of people on the streets of Srinagar and the national scene was one of gloom. Look at where we are now! It was a glorifying moment for me in #RajyaSabha when it was declared that more than two crore tourists had been to Jammu and Kashmir. “
Vice President further said “The aspirations of generations found wings when the constitutional walls of separation crumbled in 2019 with the historic abrogation of Article 370! In the sacred land of Mata Vaishno Devi, a new pilgrimage began: the journey from isolation to integration. #Article370 was a temporary article in the #Constitution. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, drafted all articles except Article 370. I would urge you to go into historical perspective to know the background behind why he declined. Another towering giant of Indian political firmament, Sardar Patel, took upon himself the task of integrating physical states except the state of the Jammu and Kashmir. Now, the winds of change have brought peace and progress. There was a demand by a great son of the soil: एक देश में एक निशान, एक विधान एक प्रधान। That is accomplished.”
VP said “The opportunity basket in Jammu and Kashmir is expanding and continues to balloon. There is no need now to leave the region, the call is to be the architects of its new dawn! I am happy to share with you that private investment proposals worth Rs. 60,000 crores were received in two years. This signals economic interest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign direct investment entered Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after 2019 with multiple international companies showing interest. The area is no longer a story of conflict, but a confluence of confidence and capital. “
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