Addressing a gathering in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta said that Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed the highest-ever developmental works in the past three years and Kashmir’s real culture is being revived with no place for violence.
He asked people to take the lead in making the change within the district, saying that the goals can be achieved only when you dream about it. “If you dream to make a change then only it can happen,” he said.
“In the next year, I am expecting that no one from Kulgam district will be falling in Below Poverty Line. Self-employment will be given priority,” he said, adding that drugs have emerged as the biggest problem as the youth are getting involved in it.
Stating that the time has come to revive Kashmir’s culture, Dr Mehta said, ” There are several big names like Lal Ded, Nund Reshi, and others in Kashmir hIstory. If we go back to the era, I would not hesitate to say that Kashmir had great thinking and even the amalgamation of religions like Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and religions started from here. We are moving back to the era in terms of culture, we are reviving that culture,” he said.
Terming drugs as poison, the Chief Secretary asked people to take oath not to touch the drugs, and not to allow anyone to get involved in such a nuisance. “We need to protect ourselves and save others too. Those who are spoiling the youth should be prevented as well. Drugs have no place in our culture,” he said.
The Chief Secretary further asked the gathering to work hard to promote the tourist destinations like Aharbal, Kousar Nag, and others. He said that the district should be made one of the best places in terms of tourism.