If Kutch can be developed, Kashmir can be developed too: Modi

Citing rapid progress in Gujarat's Muslim-majority Kutch region during his tenure as chief minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised to usher in similar development in the Kashmir Valley.
Modi also promised to make the state the hub of tourism and bring back the film industry which earlier "used to shoot so many films here".
"If Kutch can be developed, Kashmir can be developed too," Modi said addressing a well-attended rally in Kishtwar of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The way I come repeatedly to Kashmir, I used to visit Kutch as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Kutch is an area where majority population are Muslims... There were no avenues for employment and livelihood... During the past 10 years, Kutch has become India's fastest developed district," he said.

"Within 15-km range of Kutch, 8,000 mega watt electricity is being produced. There are cloth manufacturing units and other industries that provide jobs to over 3,000 people. Earlier, there was no water and people were moving out in search of employment...
"It is not being done here in Jammu and Kashmir," Modi told the audience, majority of whom had come from far-flung areas of Kishtwar, Paddar, Doda, Bhaderwah, Chatroo, Banihal and Palmar in the mountainous Chenab Valley.

"With that experience, I want to tell the people of Jammu and Kashmir that if there can be development in Kutch there is also possibility of development in Kashmir... How long we will wait and watch to see our young generation getting destroyed and running from pillar to post for employment. There is a strong need for Kashmiri youths to get employments. People here are honest and lovable," he said.

Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC supremo Farooq Abdullah, Modi told the rally "Do you know the size of the pipe that supplies water to the Kutch area from Narmada river? The size of pipe is such that the full Abdullah full family can sit in a car and drive through it."
Thanking the people for turning up in large numbers, Modi said, "Can anybody imagine in this cold climate such a big rally can be held... No political outfit has been able to do such a big rally since Independence here. This is due to love of the people. I owe it to you."

While BJP claimed that over one lakh people have attended the rally, police put the crowd strength at over 60,000 and other agencies over 70,000.