VP lauds Srinagar Airport expansion

Srinagar, Feb 26: Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday lauded the Centre’s approval for the development and expansion of Srinagar International Airport at an estimated cost of over Rs 1600 crore, saying the move would significantly boost connectivity and opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullahís remarks on eco-sensitive tourism, the Vice President said the CM rightly underlined that tourism in J&K must expand ìwithout affecting the ecosystem of our great state.î

He said economic growth and environmental protection must go hand in hand.

The Vice President said he had read in the newspapers about a recent foundation initiative taken in Srinagar and appreciated both Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for their efforts.

He expressed hope that they both would work towards making Srinagar not only the most beautiful but also the cleanest city in the country.

“I appreciate both our LG and CM for taking that great initiative in Srinagar. I wish they should make Srinagar not only the most beautiful but the most clean city in the country and get the award of Swachh Bharat next year. I wish both try for it,” the Vice President said.

He referred to the Chenab Railway Bridge widely known as an engineering marvel and the worldís highest railway arch bridge over the River Chenab and said such projects, along with other ongoing infrastructure works, carry a larger social message.

ìThese projects are more than engineering achievements. They are instruments of social harmony,î the Vice President said.

ìWhen places are connected, people are connected. When people are connected, hearts are more closely connected,î he said.

The Vice President said that improved connectivity and infrastructure would create new avenues for the youth, particularly students graduating from institutions in the region.

He also spoke about the Prime Ministerís Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) for students from J&K, saying it acts as a bridge of opportunity, aspiration, and national integration by enabling students to pursue higher education in institutions across the country.

The Vice President said that the scheme sends a strong message of emotional integration and national unity.

Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, he referred to the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ programme and shared an anecdote about a group of students from J&K who had visited Ranchi.

The Vice President said the students were surprised by the warm reception extended to them.

“I had directed the officials to ensure that Kashmiri students were served food according to their preferences, including non-vegetarian meals,” he said.

ìWe are a democracy and we must respect sentiments. We can be proud of our own sentiments, but that does not mean we should degrade the sentiments of others. No democracy will do that,î the Vice President said.

He urged the youth to stay away from drugs, saying their parentsí aspirations and happiness depend on their success.

ìEvery religion calls narcotic drugs sinful. There is no single religion in this world which encourages narcotic drugs. Please keep away from drugs,î the Vice President said.

He also advised students to be mindful of their use of social media and to maintain balance in their lives. ìEverything should have its own limitations. You should know how to allocate your time. That is your success,î he said.