The Hindu : Front Page : Rejoin democratic process, says Sonia

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Sunday, Feb 15, 2009
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Rejoin democratic process, says Sonia

Shujaat Bukhari

Appeals to separatists; inaugurates Srinagar International Airport and the Baramulla-Srinagar train service

— PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

PUTTING J&K ON TOP: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the inauguration of the new Srinagar International Airport and the train service connecting Baramulla with Srinagar and South Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: Srinagar appeared on the international aviation map on Saturday as the United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the newly constructed international airport.

Ms. Gandhi called upon separatists to see the recently held elections as a lesson and join the democratic process. She switched on a button at the airport to inaugurate, through satellite link, the train service connecting Baramulla with Srinagar and South Kashmir.

At a function here held amid tight security, Ms. Gandhi threw open the revamped airport rechristened the “Srinagar International Airport.” The airport has a new terminal equipped with modern gadgets such as escalators, aero-bridges, central heating systems and lifts. People had demanded that the airport be named after the 14th century secular saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani for which the Legislative Council had passed a resolution and State Cabinet sent a recommendation. But it was turned down by Civil Aviation Ministry. Soon after the inauguration, the inaugural flight operated by Air India from Dubai landed at the airport with over two dozen passengers. Ms. Gandhi received the passengers. “It is a very happy moment for all of us,” said Ms. Gandhi.

Ms. Gandhi, who was accompanied by host of politicians, including Union Ministers Saifuddin Soz, Praful Patel and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressed the hope that new beginning in Kashmir would show the separatists the path to peace.

“People will shun violence and disruption and opt for democracy and development as proved by the well participated elections in the State recently,” she said. “People talking of separatism must draw lessons and take the democratic route. Route to prosperity goes through peace and democracy.”

The project to upgrade the airport was approved by the Government in January 2005, and it took longer than the stipulated time. Work is still in process.

Initially, there will be a flight between Dubai and Srinagar every Saturday, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said. “We will surely extend the service to other parts of the world,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that it was the dream of “my grandfather and it will help economy and tourism in particular. People are using the railways which I never thought would happen. The government of India must help get more tourists”.

The first phase of train from South Kashmir’s Anantnag district to Budgam was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 11 last. Now, South Kashmir would be connected with north Kashmir through Srinagar with the start of the new train, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said.

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