Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, speaking at the 83rd foundation day celebration of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Thursday, highlighted the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. Reflecting on his visit to Srinagar in 1990, Dhankhar recalled how the Dal Lake area was nearly deserted, contrasting it with the bustling tourist activity today.
“Everything was dull. D-U-L-L,” Dhankhar said, reminiscing about his time as a Union minister when he stayed near Dal Lake. “Not even 20 souls could be seen on the road. A state of dejection and hopelessness.”
He remarked that the Rajya Sabha, which he presides over as chairman, was informed last year that over two crore tourists had visited Jammu and Kashmir. The Vice President attributed this resurgence to the removal of Article 370, which he emphasized was always meant to be a temporary provision of the Constitution.
“Article 370, which was seen as permanent by some despite being temporary, is no longer applicable,” he stated. Drawing comparisons between the 1990s and present-day India, Dhankhar noted how far the nation has come. He pointed out that in the 1990s, India had to pledge its gold reserves with Swiss banks to maintain financial credibility, as its forex reserves had dipped to just USD 1 billion. At the time, international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF dictated terms to India.
“Now, the IMF says India is the most-favored global destination for investment and opportunity, and the World Bank views India as a role model for digitization,” Dhankhar said, emphasizing India’s current global stature. He also lauded the current administration for eliminating corruption and middlemen from power corridors, stating that “all transactions now take place digitally, without a human interface.”
Expressing satisfaction with the increasing recognition of the scientific community in India, the Vice President praised the government’s commitment to science and technology. “Recognition for the scientific community has gone up significantly in recent years, and Prime Minister Modi’s heart and soul are deeply invested in science,” he added.
Dhankhar’s remarks come amid the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the region’s evolution and the government’s emphasis on development and governance.