Dr Jitendra calls for stronger grassroots outreach in Kashmir, says youth keen to join India’s growth story

24/08/2026

SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh called for stronger grassroots engagement with citizens across the Kashmir Valley, saying the region's youth are "highly aspirational and keen to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's growth story."
Addressing the State Office Bearers' Meet of the Jammu & Kashmir BJP at Nowgam in Srinagar, Singh said "greater engagement with citizens, particularly the younger generation" would help strengthen their participation in the opportunities emerging from the country's development journey.
Singh said Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a changing environment, with "normal life getting restored and development gaining momentum."
He said the progress has created "a new sense of opportunity, particularly among the younger generation," which is increasingly looking towards education, professional growth, entrepreneurship and wider opportunities.
Referring to the aspirations of Kashmir's youth, Singh said "the younger generation is highly aspirational and does not want to miss the opportunities available to it."
He said young people from the Valley are increasingly making their mark in competitive examinations, higher education and the private sector, reflecting a growing desire to move forward and build a better future.
Singh said "this growing aspiration among the youth needs to be matched by sustained engagement and greater grassroots connect."
He called for "continuous interaction with common citizens" so that their aspirations, expectations and concerns can be understood more closely and the benefits of development can reach people effectively.
Singh said, "Peace and development reinforce each other."He said an environment of peace creates conditions for faster development, while development generates greater confidence and opportunities among people.
Singh said Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing this positive relationship, with the restoration of normalcy providing "a stronger foundation for development and growth."
He said the transformation taking place in Jammu & Kashmir is particularly significant for the younger generation, which has grown up during a very different period and is now witnessing a wider range of opportunities.
"The priority should be to connect this generation with the larger development journey of the country and enable it to realise its aspirations," he said.
Singh also referred to what he described as the inclusive approach of the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying development and welfare programmes have been implemented for eligible citizens "without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or voting preference."
Citing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala among the welfare initiatives, he said the benefits of such programmes have reached deserving households on the basis of eligibility, "without any consideration of vote bank."
He said the focus of governance has been on ensuring that people receive the benefits they are entitled to, irrespective of their political preferences.
Drawing on his experience of working in the North-East, Singh said "direct interaction with people at the grassroots" had played an important role in building greater understanding and confidence.
He said sustained personal engagement helps establish a stronger connect with citizens and enables people to experience an organisation's approach directly.
Singh said this approach of reaching out to people and maintaining continuous grassroots engagement is equally relevant in Jammu & Kashmir.
"Greater interaction with common citizens" can help strengthen participation in the development process and ensure that the aspirations of different sections of society remain closely connected with the broader growth journey of the union Territory, he said.
Singh said the aspirations of Kashmir's youth represent "an important opportunity for the future of Jammu & Kashmir."
With increasing access to education, professional opportunities and development, he said, the younger generation is looking towards a future defined by "growth, achievement and participation."
J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma addressed the gathering and shared his vision for strengthening the organisation and advancing the collective resolve towards a developed, prosperous and empowered Jammu & Kashmir.
Senior BJP leaders and office bearers, including General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, Gopal Mahajan and Anwar Khan, were also present.
He called for a collective focus on strengthening the positive momentum through development, wider opportunities and deeper engagement with citizens.
"Stronger grassroots connect", he said, would help ensure that the benefits of the ongoing transformation are accompanied by greater public participation and confidence.
Singh expressed confidence that the aspirations of the youth and the pace of development in Jammu & Kashmir would together contribute to a stronger and more prosperous future for the union Territory, with its young population playing "an important role in India's growth story."

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