NEW DELHI: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah engaged with 250 young participants from Jammu and Kashmir under the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ initiative in the capital city.
The event, attended by senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, aimed to familiarize the youth with India’s evolving landscape, diverse cultural heritage, and national progress, fostering a deeper emotional and social connection.
During the interaction, Shah emphasized that ‘Watan Ko Jano’ is a key initiative to enhance national awareness and unity. He likened the nation to a home, stating that just as one knows every corner of their house, citizens should be equally familiar with their country.
He highlighted that this vision led the government to introduce the initiative. Shah further stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke Article 370 has united the country, ensuring equal rights for Kashmiri citizens, just like those in any other state.
Shah highlighted the country’s significant strides under Modi’s leadership over the past decade, making India a thriving, modern, and globally influential nation.
He expressed confidence that in the near future, students from across the world would seek education in India. He underscored that as India progresses, it will drive collective growth, benefiting every citizen.
Discussing Jammu and Kashmir’s transformation, Shah noted remarkable advancements in education, industry, healthcare, and infrastructure.
He pointed out the construction of the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, Asia’s largest tunnel, and India’s only cable suspension bridge in Kashmir. He also highlighted the establishment of two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), two Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), 24 prominent colleges, and eight universities in the region.
He emphasized that an area once plagued by violence has undergone a dramatic turnaround, with incidents of terrorism, bomb blasts, and stone-pelting nearly eradicated. Schools now function seamlessly, and infrastructure projects—including roads, hospitals, and universities—are progressing rapidly.
Additionally, 36,000 elected representatives now play an active role in governance at the Panchayat and Municipality levels, reinforcing grassroots democracy.
Shah asserted that lasting progress is only possible in a peaceful environment, reiterating that no one benefits from terrorism. He revealed that over the past three decades, 38,000 lives had been lost in Kashmir due to violence.
However, he noted an 80% reduction in civilian casualties in recent years, emphasizing that true success would be achieved only when not a single life is lost. He reiterated that the responsibility of shaping a peaceful Jammu and Kashmir lies with its youth.
Addressing the young participants, Shah assured them that the entire nation belongs to them. He encouraged them to return to Kashmir with a renewed sense of unity and purpose.
He emphasized that peace has been restored under Modi’s leadership, paving the way for new educational institutions, industries, healthcare facilities, clean drinking water, and large-scale infrastructure development.
He stated that while governments can create the conditions for peace, only the younger generation can sustain it.
Shah urged the children to educate their families and communities about national unity and the importance of rejecting violence, emphasizing that a day would come when weapons would no longer be needed, and security forces would not have to maintain order.
He called upon the children to spread messages of harmony and progress in their villages. He encouraged them to take advantage of the many opportunities created under Modi’s leadership, reminding them that the country belongs to all its citizens.
He stressed that transforming the current peace in Jammu and Kashmir into lasting stability requires collective effort.
The ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program brought together 250 children from underprivileged backgrounds in Jammu and Kashmir, including 62 girls and 188 boys aged 9-18. Organized by the Social Welfare Department of the J&K government in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the initiative provided an opportunity for the children to explore different parts of India.
Their journey, which began on February 15, 2025, took them to historic sites in Jaipur and Ajmer before they arrived in Delhi on February 23. While in the capital, they met dignitaries and visited landmarks such as Qutub Minar and Red Fort. The group is scheduled to return to Jammu and Kashmir on February 27, 2025.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the J&K administration have consistently conducted youth exchange programs to introduce young people to India’s dynamic progress and cultural richness.
These initiatives are designed to instill a sense of national pride and emotional connection with the rest of the country. Under Modi’s leadership and Shah’s guidance, the MHA remains committed to such programs for the upliftment of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth.
‘Watan Ko Jano’ specifically focuses on children from families affected by terrorism or economically weaker backgrounds, identified by the J&K Rehabilitation Council.
Many participants come from orphanages across the region, with selection criteria based on socioeconomic status, academic excellence, sports achievements, and cultural talents. To date, around 2,868 children have taken part in this initiative, gaining exposure to India’s development and opportunities.
