Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday said after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, for the first time democracy has reached the grassroots level as 30,000 elected representatives of the people are working in the Panchayat system of Kashmir.

Shah was addressing the Kashmir Mahotsav organised by the Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University through video conferencing. Several dignitaries, including Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, were present on the occasion.

He said there was a time when bomb blasts, strikes and stone pelting were common in Kashmir, but today due to the changes brought under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the youth of Kashmir have books and laptops in their hands.

They are thinking of startups and their potential to challenge the youth of the world, he said. The entire nation is happy with these changes brought by the Prime Minister in the last nine years, Shah said.

Kashmir is the melting-pot of many cultures and a jewel in the crown of Mother India, he said. Changes that are taking place in Kashmir are important not only for the children of Kashmir, but also for the entire youth of the country. Last year around 1.80 Crore tourists visited Kashmir, they got to know Kashmiriyat and Kashmir culture and went back with a good message, he said.

Shah said that India has been moving forward through coexistence for centuries and the Prime Minister has given the “mulmantra” of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ along with several initiatives to strengthen coexistence in a country full of diversities.

He said that the diverse cultures, languages, cuisines and attire are the nation’s strengths. Mr Shah said Mr Modi has called upon countrymen, especially the youth, to imbibe the concept of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” as the mantra of life.

By forming the Ministry of Cooperation, he said, the Prime Minister was trying to connect every single village with the development system and the poorest of the poor with the economy. He said that Gujarat University is the University of  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Mr Narendra Modi, many great personalities have been produced by this university who have made significant contributions for nation building. The country’s first innovation park was established in Gujarat University and currently it is supporting more than 300 start-ups, he said.

 Shah said that the Prime Minister had provided many platforms for the youth across the country. ‘Skill India’ was one such platform which provides a global platform to the energy and talent inside the youth, he said.

He called upon the youth to take forward the start-up movement in Kashmir as well. The Prime Minister had launched the ‘Make in India’ scheme in 2015 and as a result India’s merchandise exports have crossed $400 crore in the financial year 2022, he said.