Kupwara, May 15,2026- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Trehgam in Kupwara district under the Vibrant Village Programme and inaugurated several development initiatives aimed at transforming border villages through modern education, sports infrastructure, and community-focused growth. The visit marked another significant step in the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure and improve living standards in remote areas of north Kashmir.
During the programme, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated 26 Smart Classrooms in six Vibrant Blocks under the Aspirational District Programme. The initiative is expected to modernize the educational ecosystem in border villages by introducing digital learning facilities and interactive classroom systems for students studying in remote schools.
The projects inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the event are part of the broader development roadmap envisioned for Kupwara district, especially for villages located near the Line of Control (LoC). Officials said the administration is working on a mission mode to ensure that the people living in far-flung border areas receive the same educational, infrastructural, and economic opportunities available in urban centres.
The Lieutenant Governor also laid the foundation stone for the development of the Hill Top Playground at Trehgam at an estimated cost of Rs 1.60 crore. The proposed sports infrastructure project is expected to provide modern facilities to local youth and encourage greater participation in sports and recreational activities.
Addressing local residents, public representatives, students, and officials, LG Manoj Sinha said that border villages are no longer to be viewed as the “last villages” of the country but as the “first villages” that represent India’s strength, culture, and resilience.
He emphasized that the government is committed to transforming remote and border areas into centres of growth and opportunity. According to the Lieutenant Governor, development initiatives in Kupwara are being implemented with a long-term vision that focuses on education, tourism, sports, self-employment, road connectivity, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.
The inauguration of smart classrooms drew significant attention from local communities and education stakeholders. Teachers and parents welcomed the initiative, saying it would greatly improve the quality of education available to students in remote schools.
The smart classrooms are equipped with digital learning tools, interactive teaching systems, projectors, and modern educational content aimed at enhancing student engagement and improving academic outcomes. The initiative is also expected to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural schools in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials associated with the project stated that the Aspirational District Programme has played a key role in improving educational indicators in Kupwara district. Through targeted interventions in infrastructure, learning outcomes, and technological integration, the programme aims to create a more inclusive and future-ready education system.
The Hill Top Playground project at Trehgam is being seen as another major initiative for youth empowerment in the region. The proposed facility is expected to host sports activities, tournaments, and training programmes for local youth.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of sports in channelizing the energy of young people in a positive direction. He said sports infrastructure not only promotes fitness and discipline but also creates opportunities for youth to excel at regional and national levels.
He further stated that the administration is focusing on creating an environment where youth can pursue education, sports, entrepreneurship, and innovation without having to migrate from their native places in search of opportunities.
During his address, LG Manoj Sinha highlighted the remarkable developmental changes witnessed in Kupwara after the launch of various centrally sponsored schemes and infrastructure projects. He said the district is emerging as a model for border area development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that several initiatives under the Vibrant Village Programme are already transforming the socio-economic landscape of border villages. These include improved road connectivity, better healthcare infrastructure, educational reforms, promotion of tourism, and support for agriculture and self-employment.
He said the administration has adopted a people-centric approach to governance with a focus on ensuring that government benefits reach every household in remote areas.
Local residents expressed appreciation for the developmental push in Trehgam and surrounding villages. Many said the region had witnessed visible improvements in infrastructure and public services over the past few years.
The event also witnessed participation from schoolchildren, youth groups, sports enthusiasts, and members of local self-help groups. Several students interacted with officials and shared their excitement about the introduction of smart classroom facilities in their schools.
Teachers from the region said digital classrooms would help students access modern educational resources and compete more effectively in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed ongoing developmental works in the area and directed officials to ensure timely completion of projects. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and quality execution in all government works.
Officials informed the Lieutenant Governor that multiple projects under the Vibrant Village Programme are progressing across Kupwara district with a focus on improving infrastructure and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents.
The administration is also promoting tourism potential in border areas, particularly in locations such as Teetwal and nearby villages, which have witnessed a rise in tourist footfall in recent years. Improved connectivity and infrastructure development are expected to further boost tourism-related employment opportunities in the district.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that empowering border communities remains one of the top priorities of the Jammu and Kashmir administration. He said the government is committed to ensuring that villages situated along the borders become hubs of development, tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
He also highlighted the role of self-help groups and Mission Youth initiatives in generating employment opportunities for young people and women in Kupwara district. According to officials, several youth-led and women-led enterprises have emerged in the region under different government schemes.
The administration believes that education and sports are two major pillars of social transformation, especially in areas that have historically faced developmental challenges. By investing in modern schools and sports infrastructure, the government aims to create a more empowered and confident generation of youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
The development of sports infrastructure in border villages is expected to strengthen grassroots-level participation in athletics and other sporting disciplines. Authorities are hopeful that facilities like the Hill Top Playground in Trehgam will encourage local talent and provide a platform for aspiring athletes.
The Lieutenant Governor also interacted with local youth and encouraged them to actively participate in nation-building efforts through education, innovation, and sports. He urged students to make full use of the opportunities being created under various government schemes.
Officials accompanying the Lieutenant Governor said the administration is committed to ensuring balanced development across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote and border regions that require focused attention.
The visit to Trehgam under the Vibrant Village Programme is being viewed as part of a larger developmental vision for Kupwara district. The administration has repeatedly emphasized that strengthening border villages is essential not only from a developmental perspective but also for preserving the region’s cultural and social fabric.
Residents expressed hope that continued investment in infrastructure, education, and sports would create new opportunities for the younger generation and contribute to long-term peace and prosperity in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor concluded the visit by reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir. He said every village deserves modern infrastructure, quality education, better healthcare, and opportunities for youth empowerment.
The inauguration of smart classrooms and the launch of sports infrastructure projects in Trehgam reflect the administration’s continued focus on transforming border villages into vibrant and self-reliant communities.
