Rs. 80,000 crore for development : Modi sells dream for a resurgent Kashmir

Addressing a public rally at the Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar, he said the package was "just the beginning."

This was Modi's first public meeting after  formation of the PDP-BJP government in the state.

 Modi said the Delhi  will work together with the J & K Government.

The PM also said he wanted to salute the people of Kashmir for strengthening Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dream for Kashmir and democracy and added that India was "incomplete without Kashmiriyat".

"For the betterment of Kashmir I just need to follow Atal Bihari Vajpayee's footsteps," The PM said

Asserting that solution to all problems lies in generating employment, the PM also promised that development in Jammu and Kashmir will always be his government's top agenda. "We want to bring AIIMS and IITs and IIMs here," he said.

Modi said he wanted Kashmir to become a top tourist destination again. "1.75 crore people go out of India on their vacations. Even if five per cent of them come here, how great that will be," he said

"That day should come soon when international cricket resumes here in this stadium," he said and added that cricketers like Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar hit sixes with bats that are made in Kashmir.

Modi said that Kashmiris are securing top positions in the country today in top institutions like IIT's and IIM's.

He  said, "The love I get from you inspires me to work for more."

"Whenever Kashmir is in pain, i feel the same pain, " he said, while adding, "I did not celebrate my birthday as my friends in Kashmir were  in distress due to the floods."

Modi also spoke about his mother.  "My mother never game me more than 11 rupees, but this time on my birthday she game me 5000 rupees and asked me to use it for the Kashmir relief fund."

Highlighting the development in Gujarat, his home state, the  PM  said, "Gujarat was almost finished after the earthquake, experts wrote her off, but it rose, I want the same from Kashmir.

"Earlier people used to plan their visit to Kashmir, everyone wanted to be here, I want that same old glorious Kashmir," The PM said.

Ahead of Modi's rally Jammu and Kashmir's independent MLA, Engineer Rashid was detained by the J&K Police as part of the crackdown to prevent the anti-Modi rally by separatists. .

Reports said black flags were raised  which resulted in Rashid's arrest.

Unprecedented security arrangements were been made in the city for the PM's visit with a massive number of  police  and paramilitary personnel being deployed in and around the stadium.

Some separatist groups called for a rally at the Tourist Reception Centre ground near the stadium to counter the PM's rally. Authorities have sealed  all entry and exit routes in Srinagar while various restrictions have been imposed.