Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday reiterated the Modi Government’s resolve to reach the last mile while joining the nationwide “Gaon Chalo Abhiyaan”.

The minister held meetings with public representatives, local residents, and women in Block Barnoti of Panchayat Nagrota in the Kathua district of Jammu.

The public interaction was part of Gaon Chalo Abhiyan, during which Dr. Jitendra Singh spent time with the local populace to hear from them and elicit their views as well as receive feedback on the government’s welfare programmes and schemes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said this campaign is part of the Modi Government’s approach to reach the last man in the last queue. This mantra drives the government’s spirit of service to the citizens of India, he stated, adding the development of India can be achieved by ensuring the development of the poor, farmers, women and youth.

It is with this spirit that the government has been working for the last nearly 10 years, he added. Dr Singh said the government has been serving all sections of society without discrimination based on caste, creed, or political affiliation.

Later, addressing students of the Government Higher Secondary School at Budhi in the district, Dr Jitendra Singh encouraged them to tap the potential of the internet and social media to give a fillip to their learning and StartUp potentials, saying it has the effect of a force-multiplier in this digital age. He also asked them to channel their energies for the good of the society and development of the country.

The Union minister urged the school administration to introduce Atal Tinkering labs in the school to foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds. In the same vein, the Minister suggested the students take up a career in agri-startups which are increasingly becoming an alternate and lucrative source of livelihood in J&K.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the mentality of securing only government jobs for sustainable living is changing with the increasing number of new avenues springing up, like agri-startups. Even moderately educated are now earning handsomely after joining J&K’s famed Aroma Mission under which cultivation of lavender has shot in Bhaderwah tehsil of the Doda district into national prominence, thereby providing thousands of youth with opportunities to earn their livelihood, the Minister said.

Dr Singh added that perfumes made from lavender are fetching good prices, enabling the youth associated with the Mission to make handsome returns.

Earlier, the minister flagged off the maiden regular run of the Vande Bharat Express trains with stops at Udhampur and Kathua respectively, both stations which happen to be a part of his Lok Sabha constituency.

Terming it a historic decision of the government, Dr Jitendra Singh said it was possible only due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special attention and priority that he has accorded to the J&K region for its fast-paced development.

Dr. Jitendra Singh flagged off the maiden stoppage of the train from the Udhampur Station early this morning and travelled on it to reach Kathua Railway Station, where the train made its first stoppage.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said with this facility, Prime Minister Modi has fulfilled the demand of the local people and commuters for providing stoppage of Vande Bharat Train at Kathua station.

Dr Jitendra Singh added that the railway route to J&K is unique as it is among the few that have two Vande Bharat Trains chugging off, whereas many places in the country are yet to avail this state-of-the-art transport facility which was unveiled in 2015.