Date:26/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042655301200.htm

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Manmohan: borders have lost their old relevance

Luv Puri

Jammu: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the cross Line of Control connectivity that has been established by the Central government has contributed to a new sense of empowerment to the ordinary people.

Speaking at the convocation of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi University, Dr. Singh said, “I believe we should draw inspiration from the success of the initiatives taken so far and move forward to take more such initiatives to strengthen the bonds that exist between the people on both sides of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. I have often said that in the modern world of globalisation, with the march of communications technologies, borders have lost their old relevance. Everywhere people wish to be connected to their neighbours. This is true of the people of India and Pakistan, including people living on both sides of Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir.

“With the return of democracy in Pakistan, India and Pakistan have a unique opportunity to join hands for a lasting era of peace and tranquillity. Like water, human sentiments in favour of peace and friendship also flow freely and true democracy is one in which such sentiments are able to find free expression,” he said.

Dr.Singh complimented the J&K government for taking imaginative initiatives to widen access to higher education for the people of all the three regions of Jammu & Kashmir.

He said, “To be effective participants in such a process people have to be empowered by education, good health care and provision of adequate employment opportunities. I would like the young people of Jammu and Kashmir to be empowered educationally, socially and economically so that they can contribute their share to the future of the State and in the building of our country as a whole.”

He said that he would like to see lasting peace, tangible security and palpable stability in the State.

Highest priority

Dr. Singh said that his government gave the highest priority to higher education. “We are establishing 30 new Central Universities, of which half will be conceived as world-class institutions. We have promised that there will be a Central University in every State of the Union, including the State of Jammu & Kashmir. For almost hundred years, India had only one world class national Institute of Science at Bangalore. .”