The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha expressed his gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for providing this historic opportunity to the Union Territory of J&K to host the 3rd Tourism Working Group Meeting of G20 member nations and observer countries. We had a very exciting and productive inaugural session today, LG said. The significant deliberations, perceptions, exchange of views and perspectives will help in building a framework based on five priority areas for sustainable tourism. As we move towards the post Covid pandemic era, we wanted to take our delegates and guests to Gulmarg to show its natural beauty but because of logistics issues and lack of time we were not able to do so. If you are keen, he said to the delegates, the next time you come we will welcome you in Gulmarg, LG said. Green tourism, offbeat destination, involvement of local community and by giving tourism the status of an industry we have tried to make Jammu & Kashmir sightseeing to scale a new height. After three decades, the New Film Policy, modern infrastructure and ease of doing business, all these have made constant improvements to make Jammu & Kashmir a favourite location for film shooting. It is strengthening our economy and providing opportunities for employment to people. In the last financial year in successful home products, 7 percent contribution has been made to the GDP. He expressed the progress in poetry quoting lines from Sahir Ludhianvi’s poem… हज़ार बर्क़ गिरे लाख आँधियाँ उट्ठें वो फूल खिल के रहेंगे जो खिलने वाले हैं With full confidence I can say that under the guidance of the PM, Jammu & Kashmir is moving fast on the path of progress and peace. With the whole government approach to the neighbouring country’s sponsored ecosystem of terrorism, we have been largely successful in eradicating it, LG said. Today;’s Jammu & Kashmir is not a land of strikes, separatism and stone pelting. It has become a land of peace and prosperity. Now the schools and colleges are open throughout the year. Our youth are concentrating on their career and trying every effort to realise their dreams and aspirations, he said. Today’s Jammu & Kashmir is governed by the Constitution of India. The rule of law and supremacy of the common citizens is established. The grassroots democracy has become very strong. Three-tier Panchayati Raj system, people’s participation in policy making, stability in development and continuity ensured. In this great campaign of mass participation, every citizen here is saying.. परों को खोल ज़माना उड़ान देखता है ज़मीं पे बैठ के क्या आसमान देखता है (शकील आज़मी) Jammu & Kashmir has been integrated into the global market which is helping us to lay the foundation for even better possibilities ahead. It is a matter of happiness that J&K exports, especially handloom and handicraft, are on an upward trend since last year. Whether it is Pashmina carpet GI tagging, QR coding, or various horticulture produce’s GI tagging, we got the big advantage of it. Around Rs 1.50 crore highway and tunnel projects are in progress in J&K. It is my wish or the target of my administration to keep peace, progress and prosperity and people first. I want to express in the language of a poem… मिरी अपनी और उस की आरज़ू में फ़र्क़ ये था मुझे बस वो उसे सारा ज़माना चाहिए था (बुशरा एजाज़) A reporter shooted a question to the Lieutenant Governor. Pakistan Foreign Minister has said that India is abusing the G20 Presidency to push their colonial agenda. By holding the intervention of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir they can silence the voice of Kashmiri people, they are mistaken. Is Kashmir normal? Asked the reporter. The LG replied that the neighbouring country should focus on providing food and necessary things to people. Make provision for people and restore civic amenities. India has left behind all these things and is way ahead. It is a matter of pride that we have the G20 Presidency, the Lieutenant Governor said. A number of representatives from the United Nations are present here that shows that the whole world wants India to organise events like this. Have the delegates shown any interest in tourism or film making, asked another female reporter? And will you hold other international events in Srinagar on this scale? The LG replied that a UAE Investors Meet was held recently. Jammu & Kashmir is fully prepared to host international events, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha.