Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on May 23 flagged the issue of State-sponsored terrorism faced by Jammu & Kashmir at the inaugural session of the third G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar.
“For almost 30 years, this land of peaceful co-existence of almost all religious sects had to suffer State-sponsored terrorism by our neighbouring country,” Mr. Sinha, who addressed the inaugural session of the G20 meeting at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), said.
Around 60 foreign delegates from G20 countries are among the 122 participants taking part in the working group meeting in Srinagar. It’s aimed at deliberating over green tourism, digitalisation, skills, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and destination management “to accelerate the transition of the tourism sector and achieve the targets for the 2030 sustainable development goals”.
Elaborating on the measures taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Sinha said, “PM Modi through development schemes that empowers masses and effective administration isolated the terror eco-system, which thrived with the support from across the border.”
He said J&K was witnessing a new era of “limitless possibilities of growth and peace”. “Now even foreign investments are also coming into J&K...Since eternity, Jammu-Kashmir is known as the crown jewel of India and today, I would like to say that it is a matter of great pride for 13 million citizens of the Union Territory to host the G20 meeting.”
L-G Sinha said J&K stands among the developed regions of India on some measurable milestones. “PM Modi Ji has completely eliminated injustice, exploitation and discrimination which several sections of society faced for seven long decades owing to circumstances that evolved mostly because of orchestration from abroad,” he added.
He said it was encouraging to share that J&K is already working on a few of the priority areas identified by the G20 Tourism Working Group. “In the post-pandemic era, the five key building blocks will promote environmental awareness, protect the ecology and improve the economy and livelihoods of communities and inclusive growth of stakeholders,” he added.
He said 300 new destinations have been identified to promote green tourism, small and medium enterprises, youth and women entrepreneurs and involve local communities to support sustainable tourism.
“After a long pause of almost four decades, we have revived the relationship with Bollywood and launched a film policy in 2021 to attract more investment into the film sector and to make Jammu Kashmir the most popular film shooting destination. Last year alone, more than 300 movies were filmed in the region and such enthusiasm is bringing about a qualitative change in the lives of people,” the L-G said.
He said under the leadership of the PM the UT will soon find its place in the top 50 destinations in the world. “It will be on the travel bucket list of global travellers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the delegates were treated to Kashmiri cuisine and music on Monday evening. They were taken on a ride on the Dal lake in a well-lit shikaras. They are likely to tour the Mughal gardens and the Polo View market after the meeting is over.
