Rajouri, June 16: Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports(YSS), Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today visited Vibrant Villages in the border area of Nowshera and convened a meeting with the district officers, prominent citizens and local residents to review the development initiatives and assess the public issues.

During the interaction, the public projected various demands and developmental concerns.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal, while responding to the issues raised, assured the people that all their genuine demands would be taken up with the concerned authorities for appropriate action.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner Secretary emphasized the Prime Minister's vision of transforming border villages from the “last villages” into the “first villages” of the country. He stressed the need to accelerate the developmental activities in these strategically important areas and highlighted the immense potential of sports in empowering the border youth.
He said that sports infrastructure and opportunities in border areas would be strengthened to encourage greater participation of youth in constructive activities. He also appreciated the efforts of the district administration, particularly Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, for effectively projecting the livelihood generation projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal lauded the cleanliness and upkeep of the border villages and remarked that the Ministry for Defence and Ministry for Home Affairs have consistently accorded priority to the development and welfare of border areas.
The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Commissioner Secretary about the ongoing initiatives being undertaken under the Vibrant Villages Programme. He stated that the district administration is committed to develop the identified villages as model villages through focused interventions in infrastructure, livelihoods, tourism and heritage conservation.
The DC highlighted the youth-centric livelihood projects, including establishment of milk collection and processing centres, aimed at generating sustainable employment opportunities. He also outlined plans for promoting border tourism and religious tourism to unlock the economic potential of the region.
He informed that several heritage revival projects have been projected to preserve and promote the rich cultural legacy of the area. He said that the visit of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to the district had significantly enhanced the seriousness and commitment of the field officers towards implementation of the developmental programmes.
He also briefed the Commissioner Secretary regarding the proposed Border Marathon and its role in promoting sports, tourism and youth engagement in the border belt.
Among others, ADC Nowshera, PO ICDS, CPO, ACD, DSWO and other district and sectoral officers besides the prominent citizens and public were present on the occasion.