Watch how border villages in Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir, are witnessing a major transformation under the Vibrant Villages Programme-Phase 2 (VVP-2), with improved connectivity, infrastructure, livelihoods, security and opportunities for local families and youth. Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district, along with representatives and residents from Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya and Kadiyala, all covered under VVP-2. During the visit, he handed over benefits under various government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing residents, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that border villages are not India’s last villages but its first villages, describing them as the frontline of the nation’s identity, security and development. He highlighted the transformation witnessed in these villages in recent years. According to the Lieutenant Governor, all 216 border villages of Kathua district are now connected by roads and have achieved full electrification, while telecommunications and television connectivity have also reached households. The Lieutenant Governor said these developments represent real changes in people’s lives, noting improvements in rural incomes, employment and living conditions. More than 2,000 individual and community bunkers have also been constructed to strengthen the safety of border families. The role of Nari Shakti in strengthening border economies was also highlighted. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, more than 1,300 self-help groups have been formed, benefiting over 12,000 families, with women engaged in tailoring, embroidery, handicrafts and small enterprises. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about opportunities for the youth, urging them to dream as big as young people in metropolitan cities. Improved government schools, digital classrooms, vocational training and regular academic sessions are creating new avenues for young people in border villages. He outlined four key priorities for the future: connecting villages to markets, empowering youth, strengthening healthcare and telemedicine, and building robust security infrastructure. He stressed that development and security must move together, as a secure village is essential for building a prosperous village. During his visit to the Karol Krishna Border Out Post, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with the jawans and commended their dedication to safeguarding the nation’s borders, including their service during Operation Sindoor. He emphasised the need for continued vigilance against hostile attempts. The Lieutenant Governor called upon families and young people in the border villages to take ownership of their future and use the opportunities now available to build stronger, self-reliant communities. The story captures the changing face of Kathua’s border villages, where infrastructure, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, education and security are coming together to create new possibilities for communities that were once distant from the mainstream of development. If you are interested in stories about Vibrant Villages, border development, rural livelihoods, women-led enterprises and youth opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir, this story from Kathua offers a glimpse into a transformation taking place at India’s frontier. Subscribe to Kashmir Ahead for more stories on development, livelihoods, border communities and the people shaping Jammu & Kashmir.