Time for misguided youth to shun violence, return home: Modi
Srinagar, May 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to those Kashmiri youth who have joined violence to return to their homes and live a life of dignity and peace.
Addressing an official function at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar where he inaugurated the 330mw Kishanganga Hydel Project and also laid foundation of Srinagar Ring Road, Modi said: "The PDP-BJP government is trying its best to bring back the misguided youth who have left their homes and families."
"It is time that these youth return to their families. Each stone thrown by a misguided youth hurts the hearts and minds of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Those who have been helping violence in the state from across our borders are themselves disintegrating this time," he said.
"Atalji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) always advocated and supported 'Kashmiriyat' and Modi is also the disciple of the same 'Kashmiriyat'."
The Prime Minister said the people of state know how they have been deceived by forces inimical to peace. The Central government has appointed a special representative to speak to all elected people to find a way out of these difficult times, he said.
"There is only one solution to all problems and that is development. All those countries in the world who followed violence are finding ways and means to shun it and save their people.
"Time will come soon when J&K will re-emerge as the crown and coronet of peace and progress for the entire country."
Modi said it is the love and affection of the people that brings him here so often.
"The holy month of Ramadan is the time when we re-dedicate ourselves to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. It's an honour that I am here during the holy month of Ramadan."
The Prime Minister said everybody associated with the Kishanganga project needs to be complimented because it was a difficult task.
Modi said: "The 42km-long Srinagar Ring Road, whose foundation I have laid today (Saturday), will go a long way in providing connectivity that is vital for progress and development.
"Jammu Kashmir of the 21th century is going to be a model of progress and prosperity. It was said in the past that waters and vitality of mountains does not help the people living in these mountains. But this saying is being proved wrong here as the waters and vitality of your mountains is now being used for your betterment and progress."
The Prime Minister said tourism has been a part of J&K's development, but today's tourism has changed fast. "Today's tourist wants a better eco-system and cleanliness, and the more you address these issues, the more number of tourists would be coming here."
Pointing out that connectivity is very essential to improve the eco-system, he said: "Before coming here, I started the work on Asia's longest tunnel. Whether it is the Srinagar Ring Road or any other connectivity project, the completion of these road projects will save you time and increase your earnings."
"Better roads will definitely add to the beauty of the state. I am happy that the people of state are helping themselves. I recently saw a video in which a five-year-old girl, Jannat, is shown cleaning the Dal Lake."
Modi said one lakh local youth are being trained under the "Himayat" programme, adding that around 16,000 youth have been given scholarships to study outside the state. He said the J&K Police would soon complete the recruitment process of 5,000 youth."Security forces have lent a helping hand to mitigate the sufferings of the people during floods and natural calamities."Every sacrifice made by our security forces is remembered and respected by every citizen of the country."
Modi is now scheduled to address the convocation of Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Jammu city.
He will also lay the foundation stone for 58.2km-long Jammu Ring Road before flying back to New Delhi.
The 330mw power project has been constructed by the HCC Ltd on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis for the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPCL), said HCC's Group CEO Arjun Dhawan in Mumbai.
The project, construction on which started in January 2009, has several firsts to its credit in Indian infrastructure, besides overcoming major geological and engineering challenges, at a cost of around Rs 5,750 crore, Dhawan said.
While 12 per cent of the power generated from this project will go to Jammu & Kashmir, the rest will go to several other states, he added.
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Groundwater depletion causes Earth's axis to shift by 31.5 inches: Study
A recent study has uncovered a significant impact of human activity on the planet: Earth's axis has shifted by 31.5 inches (nearly 80 centimeters) due to extensive groundwater extraction. Published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the research highlights how large-scale pumping of groundwater has changed the distribution of Earth's mass, affecting its rotation and contributing to sea-level rise. The shift in Earth's tilt is linked to a sea-level increase of 0.24 inches, according to Popular Mechanics.
Lead researcher Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University, explained that among climate-related factors, the redistribution of groundwater has had the most significant effect on the movement of Earth's rotational pole. The planet's tilt, or axial precession, is influenced by changes in mass distribution. As glaciers and polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica melt, water migrates towards the equator, shifting the planet's balance—a phenomenon comparable to how a figure skater’s spin changes when they alter their body position.
The study examined data from 1993 to 2010, revealing that approximately 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were pumped out during this time, largely for agricultural and human consumption. This large-scale extraction has contributed to a shift in Earth's axis of about 31.5 inches.
Groundwater, which is water stored underground in soil and rock, plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle. It originates from precipitation that seeps into the earth, replenishing natural aquifers. These aquifers are vital freshwater resources, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry. The availability and quality of groundwater depend on natural factors like recharge rates and human activity.
While the 31.5-inch shift in Earth's axis might seem minor, the consequences could be far-reaching over geological timescales. Changes in water distribution can lead to varying sea-level changes across regions, affecting coastal areas differently. Additionally, shifts in Earth's tilt can influence its internal systems, such as the magnetic field, which acts as a shield against harmful solar radiation.
