Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address : Ten takeaways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on August 8 on the government’s big decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave ‘special status’ to Jammu and Kashmir and split the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Here are 10 takeaways from the Prime Minister’s speech:

People of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were deprived of their rights. With the abrogation of Article 370, the dreams of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B.R. Ambedkar and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, leaders of independent India, have been fulfilled. A new era in Jammu and Kashmir is set to begin.

Article 370 and Article 35A dragged Jammu and Kashmir towards terrorism, dynasty politics and corruption and was detrimental to the people of Kashmir and their future.

Article 370 was used as a tool by Pakistan to terrorise Kashmiris. Nearly 42,000 people died over the last three decades. Earlier, laws made by Parliament didn’t benefit the people of Kashmir. Now all laws made by Parliament will be applicable in J&K and Ladakh.

All central and state government posts would be filled in J&K. This will lead to largescale employment generation. Private firms would also be encouraged to invest in Kashmir and generate employment. Work will be accelerated on all projects and connectivity projects related to road and rail will be initiated.

State government employees, including the J&K Police, who have made tremendous sacrifices to protect the nation’s integrity, would soon get benefits at par with the rest of the country.

Kashmir was once the preferred destination for Bollywood movies. When the situation normalises, people from the world over will begin to shoot movies there. Filmmaking will provide employment. The region has the potential to become the world’s biggest tourism destination.

With scrapping of Article 370, rights to those who had migrated to J&K from other parts of undivided Kashmir (presently with Pakistan) will be restored.

Assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. People will have a Chief Minister, MLAs and ministers. People of J&K will choose their own representatives.

Jammu and Kashmir will touch new heights of development as national laws on education, minorities and underprivileged sections will now be applicable to J&K and Ladakh and bring tangible benefits to them.

In Ladakh, an indigenous plant, which is a boon to those living in high altitudes, can be sold worldwide as it has vast medicinal properties.