Diplomat Correspondent
Shopian, (DD)Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a visible and powerful transformation, marked by a shift from decades of mistrust to an era of opportunity, progress, and empowerment.
Addressing a large gathering in Shopian, the Lieutenant Governor spoke about the region’s evolving social fabric, highlighting significant improvements in education, women’s entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
“There was a time when people were misled—told not to send their children to Army Goodwill Schools. Fear was deliberately created,” he said. “But I ask—if our soldiers can guard our borders with unmatched courage, why can’t they help educate our children with compassion and commitment?”
He said the mindset that once kept communities away from such initiatives has changed dramatically. Over the past five years, these schools have emerged as vital centers of learning and hope, especially in remote and conflict-affected regions.
“Today, students from Army Goodwill Schools are not only performing well academically but also becoming responsible and confident citizens. Many are succeeding in national-level competitions,” he noted.
Highlighting the rise of women in rural Jammu and Kashmir, LG Sinha praised their growing role as changemakers.
“Thousands of women have joined Self Help Groups. They’re no longer waiting for opportunities—they’re creating them,” he said.
Programs such as Umeed, Tejaswini, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission are playing a pivotal role in this transformation by offering training, financial aid, and mentorship. These initiatives have enabled women to set up their own ventures across sectors like horticulture, tailoring, agri-business, and food processing.
“One can see the change in their eyes. These women now carry the confidence to lead—not just in their homes, but in their communities,” Sinha added.
The Lieutenant Governor also shared that the economy of Jammu and Kashmir has doubled in the last five years—an achievement driven by improved governance, better law and order, and increased public engagement in development.
“This is not just economic data—it’s visible progress,” he said. “Better roads, modern schools, expanding digital infrastructure, and more job opportunities are the real markers of growth.”
He expressed hope that the current development trend will continue with even greater pace and participation.
“People have started believing in the system again. That trust is our biggest strength going forward,” the LG concluded(DD)
