Srinagar, Feb 15, IRNA — UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have, by their massive participation in the just concluded assembly elections, sent a clear message to the world that peace and democracy were the only way to achieve development.
She added that those espousing separatism should take a lesson from it and follow the democratic path.
Addressing a function held on the inauguration of the new integrated terminal building of the Srinagar International Airport and operation of the first international flight from here Saturday, the UPA chairperson said the overwhelming enthusiasm shown by the electors in Jammu and Kashmir was reflective of their strong faith in democracy. She said that the road to prosperity is possible only through peace and democracy.
There was no other means to achieve this, she added.
She said that people who do politics of violence whether in Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere in the country and belonging to any faith were not well wishers of India.
She said these elements could not deceive people who can see through their designs.
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi said that the day marked the arrival of 3 new gifts for Jammu and Kashmir including new integrated terminal building, rail from Mazhom to Baramulla and first international flight from Dubai.
She said that the operation of international flights would add to new opportunities for employment and business. She also expressed hope that rail link to Baramulla would add to the socio-economic development of the state and facilitated the Indian Railways for the feat.
Sonia Gandhi said that when the entire world was going through economic recession, India was not facing much of its impact and described the policies of the government as the main reason behind it.
She said prices of diesel, petrol and LPG were reduced to provide succor to the people. She said the government was committed to better the lot of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the international flights from Srinagar will give boost to inward tourism in the State.
He said connecting Srinagar with Dubai was not a small thing as it opened up the valley for direct international flights bound to promote tourism, the mainstay of the state’s economy.
He urged the union aviation minister to promote tourism in the State by operating more flights. He also asked the people traveling by air to take advantage of the low fare of Rs. 13,000 from Srinagar to Dubai and back.
He said from the time of his grandfather Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, he had been hearing about the Srinagar Airport becoming international adding that his childhood dream became a reality today.
Omar Abdullah said it was a moment of joy for the people of the valley that rail-link has been extended to Baramulla, thereby connecting south and north Kashmir through rail.
“We are now eagerly waiting for the moment when Kashmir will be connected with the rest of the country” he said and urged the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, to speed up work on Katra-Qazigund section of the prestigious Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramulla railway project.
Union Minister for Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav also spoke on the occasion and said that it was a proud moment for the Indian Railways as the dream to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country was becoming a reality.
He said that the Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramulla railway link has been declared a national project and adequate funds were being made available for its completion.
He said that work was going on the Katra-Qazigund section which passes through difficult terrains, adding that high bridges and long tunnels were to be constructed in this section.
In his speech, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel dwelt on the plans to develop aviation sector in Kashmir and said that new integrated terminal building was one of the finest in the country.
He said that Srinagar receives ten flights daily and during the summer the number will increase to 18. He said that air connectivity in the country has been achieved in areas not covered earlier.