RAJOURI, Apr 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that the true strength and identity of the nation are reflected in its remotest border villages, asserting that their development is central to national security and inclusive growth.
Addressing a public gathering at Sariah village in Rajouri under the Vibrant Villages Programme, the Lieutenant Governor said that border areas are no longer the country’s periphery but its “first villages” and gateways of opportunity.
Highlighting the vision of Narendra Modi, he said sustained efforts are being made to strengthen infrastructure and ensure that welfare schemes reach every household in border areas, fostering integration with the national mainstream.
During the visit, Sinha inaugurated a Common Service Centre and launched several development works, including water conservation projects under Jal Shakti Abhiyan and development of playgrounds in Sariah, Pukharni, Bhawani, Chapardhara and Namban villages. He also paid tributes to Brigadier Mohammad Usman.
Emphasising the link between development and security, the Lieutenant Governor said that infrastructure such as roads, electricity and employment opportunities not only improve living standards but also strengthen the country’s defence preparedness.
“Border residents are silent sentinels who stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces,” he said, adding that focused interventions since 2020 have brought visible transformation in these areas.
Calling for 100 per cent saturation of welfare schemes, he directed officials to ensure effective implementation of key initiatives like Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, Mission Youth and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana so that no eligible beneficiary is left out.
The Lieutenant Governor said improved connectivity, better healthcare facilities and digital infrastructure have significantly enhanced the quality of life in border villages, linking them closely with the country’s development trajectory.
Describing the Vibrant Villages Programme as a comprehensive approach to rural transformation, he said it is driving progress in employment, education, infrastructure and digital empowerment.
On the occasion, Sinha launched the Vibrant Village Anthem and distributed sanction and appointment letters to beneficiaries under various schemes. He also handed over TV sets with DTH connections and felicitated TB-cured individuals, volunteers of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan and other citizens for their contributions to society.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, along with officers from the civil administration, police and the Army, were present at the event.
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