Under the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes peace, cultural connection, and the importance of youth in transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a prosperous region.
AB News Desk, New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, met with 250 children from Jammu and Kashmir today in New Delhi as part of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program. This important initiative, attended by senior officials including the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), aims to expose the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to the myriad advancements and rich cultural heritage of the nation. By fostering a profound sense of social, cultural, and emotional connection, this program underlines the central government’s commitment to integrating this region into the broader tapestry of Indian society.
Speaking during the event, Amit Shah emphasized the significance of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program as a vital step toward fostering a stronger understanding of India as a unified home. He remarked, “Just as we know every part of our home, we should know our country intimately.” The Government of India initiated this program particularly in the context of recent constitutional changes, including the abolition of Article 370, which has granted citizens of Jammu and Kashmir the same rights as those in other states.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced substantial development across various sectors in the past decade. Notable achievements include the construction of India’s highest railway arch bridge, Asia’s largest tunnel, and the country’s only cable suspension bridge located in this region. Furthermore, the establishment of two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), two Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and an impressive network of 24 colleges and eight universities underscores the government’s commitment to education and healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Home Minister highlighted a dramatic reduction in violence in the region, reporting an 80% decrease in civilian deaths over the past few years. He asserted, “No one benefits from terrorism,” reinforcing the idea that development and peace go hand in hand. Shah stressed that the youth hold the key to fostering peace in Jammu and Kashmir and called on them to advocate harmony within their communities.
Encouraging the children to embrace their identity as contributing members of the nation, Amit Shah urged them to return to their villages and spread messages of peace, cooperation, and development. He emphasized that every individual, particularly the youth, possesses the potential to be a catalyst for positive change within their communities.
The ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program, organized by the Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir, involves these 250 children—62 girls and 188 boys aged 9 to 18—on an enriching exposure trip that began on February 15, 2025. Their itinerary has included visits to historic sites in Jaipur, Ajmer, and Delhi, including landmarks such as the Qutub Minar and Red Fort. Targeting youth from weaker sections and those impacted by terrorism, the initiative aims to provide participants with a sense of belonging, opportunity, and empowerment.
With approximately 2,868 youth and children having benefited from the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ initiative so far, the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to conduct youth exchange programs designed to bridge the gaps between Jammu and Kashmir’s youth and the cultural diversity of India. This underscores the central government’s unwavering commitment to laying the foundation for a prosperous future for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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