- Says “Terror’s Backers Deadlier Than Gunmen, Women’s Future Lies In ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan”
“Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha made a strong pitch for society’s collective role in eradicating terrorism, warning that financial and ideological backers of militancy pose a greater danger than armed assailants themselves. He said lasting peace in the Union Territory could only be achieved when communities rise alongside security forces and administration to dismantle the terror ecosystem.”
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this week said that defeating terrorism in the Union Territory required more than the determination of security forces and the administration. He urged society to recognize and uproot all forms of terror support financial, ideological, and logistical, if lasting peace and development were to be achieved. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the launch of the “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan – Healthy Women, Empowered Families”, a 16-day national campaign dedicated to women’s and children’s health. While much of the event centered around healthcare and women’s empowerment, Sinha used the platform to deliver a strong message on terrorism, development, and the interconnectedness of peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir.
Terrorism Beyond The Gun: Warning against the narrow view that terrorism only refers to violence committed by armed militants LG Sinha said “Only the security forces, the administration, or the police cannot end terrorism”. He stressed that those who provide ideological justification, financial backing, or political cover to terrorists are more dangerous than those who pick up weapons. “Until society understands that those who give position and financial help to terrorists are more dangerous, peace will not be achieved,” the LG noted. He called for this awareness to be spread widely so that communities across the UT can resist the influence of extremist propaganda and networks. His remarks come at a time when security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly highlighting the role of overground workers, financiers, and digital propaganda in sustaining militancy despite a sharp decline in local recruitment and cross-border infiltration.
Linking Peace With Development: LG Sinha underlined that peace is the bedrock of development and that Jammu and Kashmir’s future depends on dismantling the terror ecosystem in its entirety. “Ending terrorism is necessary for Jammu and Kashmir and for the country as well,” he said. “Viksit Bharat requires a Viksit Jammu Kashmir, which can only be achieved when economic benefits reach the poor and the common man, and not only to a handful of persons.” Drawing comparisons with other parts of India affected by violence, Sinha pointed to the decline of Naxalism. “Naxalism, which had spread from the east to other areas, is counting its last breaths. We hope that in the next five to six months, it will end in the country,” he said. “Similar efforts are needed in Jammu and Kashmir.”
A Campaign Rooted In Women’s Health: Though terrorism dominated part of his address, the central focus of the event was the launch of the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan—a massive outreach campaign designed to strengthen healthcare services for women, adolescent girls, and children. The programme will run from September 17 to October 2, coinciding with the celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah, a nationwide initiative for nutrition awareness. Sinha said the campaign would focus on, treatment and screening of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, anaemia, and tuberculosis, Maternal and infant health services, Nutritional counselling, sanitation drives, and awareness activities, Free blood donation drives, Medical check-ups for sickle cell disease and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Yoga And AYUSH-Based Lifestyle Interventions: LG Sinha said “A healthy woman is the foundation of a happy and prosperous family, which in turn builds a strong nation. The supreme position of women in public life is seen as key to ensuring peace and progress in society.” The Abhiyaan is touted as India’s largest-ever health outreach for women and children, with over one lakh health camps planned at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, community health centres, and other facilities. To mark the launch, Sinha also inaugurated a health camp, distributed medical aids, and handed over sanction letters under Mission YUVA, a youth empowerment programme.
Gratitude To PM Modi: Sinha credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the initiative, describing it as a “new chapter in women’s empowerment.” He said “Hon’ble Prime Minister’s holistic approach to improving lives and prioritising health of women has given new strength to Nari ShaktiWomen are now powerful agents of change.”
Women At The Centre Of Development: The Lieutenant Governor devoted much of his speech to the story of how government schemes have improved women’s quality of life in the past decade.
He recalled how women once struggled for toilets and clean cooking fuel. “Today, more than 12 crore toilets have been built, and over 15 crore households have received LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojana.” Through the Saubhagya scheme, electrification has reached millions of homes, he said. Sinha also underlined the gains made in financial inclusion. “Through the Jan Dhan Yojana, more than 10.66 crore bank accounts have been opened, of which 73 percent belong to women. More than 52 crore account holders under Pradhan Mantri schemes include 70 percent women.” On entrepreneurship, he pointed out that out of 1080 registered start-ups in Jammu and Kashmir, 387 are women-led. Over 42,000 women have emerged as leaders in self-help groups, contributing to family welfare and community development. “Women are not just participants but drivers of change,” the LG said. “From agriculture to handicrafts, from start-ups to education, they are scripting success stories.”
Education, Employment, Leadership: Highlighting achievements in education, Sinha noted that women students had secured 75 percent of gold medals in the UT’s universities. He also drew attention to recent reforms in governance and defence that expand women’s roles. The Women’s Reservation Bill ensures one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha will be reserved for women. Women are being granted permanent commissions in defence services. “For the first time, women are being appointed to protect borders in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, noting that India now has the largest number of female pilots in the world. He further observed that around 50 percent of science and technology graduates in India are women, again the highest globally. “The doors of military schools have been opened for girls, and new military schools are being built,” he added, citing the impact of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and One Stop Centre schemes on girls’ lives.
Call for Coordination, Clean Governance: Sinha urged officials and departments to adopt a Whole-of-Government Approach in executing the campaign. “All departments should work together, from the panchayat to the district level, to ensure medical check-ups and services are fully prepared,” he said. He also asked for coordination with self-help groups and Anganwadi centres to spread awareness and mobilise participation in health camps. The LG even linked governance with health, calling for cleanliness drives in government offices. “If even one office in Jammu and Kashmir is polluted, it can be cleaned in 15 days. We need to act from the perspective of health,” he said.
Corruption And Technology: Sinha acknowledged that corruption had been a long-standing problem but said technology had significantly reduced opportunities for malpractice. “Corruption was like a disease in the country. “I cannot say it has ended, but the scope for corruption has been reduced,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sanskrit Wisdom And A Vision For The Future: Concluding his speech, the LG invoked a Sanskrit verse: “Where women are worshipped, gods live there.” He said “Women have the highest status among people.”. “In the last five to six years, women’s empowerment has advanced along with the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Women have been given new wings. To build a developed Jammu and Kashmir, women are also at the forefront,” the LG said.
“As the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan unfolds across Jammu and Kashmir, it offers both a health mission and a social vision: empowering women, strengthening families, and building a resilient society that rejects the forces of destruction. The LG’s call was not only to doctors, officials, or self-help groups, but to every citizen to see women’s empowerment and peace-building as shared responsibilities. The way forward, Sinha suggested, is twofold: confront terrorism in all its forms—whether armed, financed, or ideological—and simultaneously invest in the empowerment of women, who remain the backbone of communities.”
A Broader Context: The event, held in Srinagar, was attended by top officials including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Health Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, and senior officers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The presence of administrative secretaries, healthcare experts, and women from diverse communities reflected the government’s intention to turn the campaign into a mass movement for women’s health and empowerment. By tying women’s health initiatives with calls for social responsibility against terrorism, Sinha positioned the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan as more than a medical campaign—it became part of a larger vision of peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth. The LG’s message was clear: while security forces continue to neutralize armed threats, society must collectively dismantle the ideological and financial scaffolding of terrorism. At the same time, empowering women through health, education, and entrepreneurship will secure the foundations of a strong and developed Jammu and Kashmir. As the 16-day campaign unfolds across the UT and the country, it will test not just the delivery of health services but also the ability of institutions and communities to work together in the spirit of collective responsibility. “A healthy woman means a healthy family, and a healthy family means a healthy nation,” Sinha reminded the gathering. “I believe this campaign will lead to a new chapter in empowering women.”
Kashmir Horizon View : The Lieutenant Governor’s remarks underline a crucial truth: defeating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir requires not just guns and security operations but also social, financial, and ideological resistance. The way forward lies in building stronger community awareness against extremist propaganda, exposing the networks that fund terrorism, and ensuring that young people find opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and skill development rather than falling prey to radical ideologies. Civil society, religious leaders, educators, and local institutions must act in unison with security forces to dismantle the terror ecosystem. The fight is not only against those who pull the trigger but also against those who provide the justification, the funding, and the platform for violence. On the healthcare and empowerment front, the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan has the potential to transform grassroots health delivery in Jammu and Kashmir. The way forward is to ensure that this campaign does not remain a symbolic exercise but becomes a sustained, institutionalized effort that integrates women’s health into the broader agenda of development. Regular screening, nutrition counselling, and access to financial resources can make women the true pillars of families and communities. Self-Help Groups, Panchayati Raj institutions, Anganwadi centres, and local healthcare workers must be empowered to carry the campaign beyond its 16-day span, ensuring continuity and measurable results. Women’s empowerment in education, employment, and governance must go hand in hand with their health and well-being. This holistic approach will not only build stronger families but also strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s role in shaping a Viksit Bharat.
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