Earlier governments neglected the entire region of erstwhile Doda district, whereas under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this Government ensured equitable development and restored communal harmony.

This was stated in Doda (J&K) today by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing a massive public rally after inaugurating the Agri StartUp Exhibition.

The rally was attended by thousands of people who had turned up from all parts of the twin districts of Kishtwar and Doda including Bhaderwah.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, analysts will find it difficult to answer as to why Doda remained backward despite the fact that after independence, there was not a single occasion when Doda did not have its representative both in the Union Cabinet as well as in the state cabinet.

District Doda, said Dr Jitendra Singh, has today emerged on the world map because Bhaderwah has  given the world lavender and purple revolution which were exhibited in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi and PM Narendra Modi spoke in detail about it in " Mann Ki Baat".

Dr Jitendra Singh said, under PM Modi, he has also sought to follow a different policy of reaching out equally to all sections of people regardless of religion or caste. He said, the people of Doda belt are traditionally  peace loving and patriotic, and they  had refused to migrate out even during the peak of militancy.

New National Highway 244 from Khillani to Sudhmahadev touching Goha Kalota, approval of Chattergala tunnel and Kaljugar tunnel, series of hydropower projects and airport under Udaan in Kishtwar, Centrally funded Medical College in Doda, High Altitude Medicine Plant in Bhaderwah, etc all happened in last 10 years.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, a large number of projects brought to the Doda region in the last 10 years have not only brought about transformation but were also meant to change the mindset.  Various welfare schemes launched not only meant social and economic transformation but also aroused several semi-conscious  aspirations, particularly in youth, which had got buried due to dismay and pessimism of the past.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, all the works have been carried out with an urge to serve the general public from the core of the heart and  to provide the benefits rising above the considerations of caste, creed and religion. Prime Minister Modi  has sought to create a new work culture which our successors will be bound to follow, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that road connectivity, power supply and medical facilities have been improved in Doda in the last 10 years. “A web of highways has been spun in the district, with the largest number of roads constructed under PMGSY here”, he said. 

The Minister stated that this constituency holds distinction as being the lone Lok Sabha constituency where there are three medical colleges, namely in Doda, Kathua and Udhampur. 

The Union Minister expressed happiness that PM Modi has been able to change the work culture and perception about democracy by undertaking all round development and ensuring delivery of schemes as and where needed. He said the government has reignited those hopes which had faded, and rekindled aspirations among youth who had resigned to their fate due to the prevailing work environment. 

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh also felicitated a few young farmers who have emerged as role models by increasing their produce by availing the benefits of various 'Modi sarkaar ki Guarantee' schemes.    

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