The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has stressed the need for a fresh vision for Kashmir and the Kashmiri people. He called upon the people of Kashmir, and the youth in particular, to work together with the Government to build a Naya (New) Kashmir. Addressing the first convocation of the Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Srinagar today, the Prime Minister said that healthcare was one of the cornerstones of the National Common Minimum Programme. He also announced that a high-powered Advisory Council on Economic Development of the State would be constituted to implement an integrated plan of long-term development of the Jammu & Kashmir.

Dr. Singh stressed that educational and healthcare system need urgent and wide-ranging reforms at all levels. He emphasised that investment in education and health was a must in order to build a knowledge economy. Stressing the need for a partnership for rebuilding Kashmir, the Prime Minister said that Kashmir was ideal for outsoursing, particularly in the IT sector.

The Prime Minister expressed his Government's resolve to work earnestly with the State Government and the political parties to improve the quality and governance to make it transparent, people-friendly and corruption-free. He sought the support of the people of Kashmir to restore peace, prosperity and brotherhood in the State.

Dr. Singh said that he had come to Kashmir with a "plan" to reconstruct the economy, reform the Government and revitalise the institutions of civil society. The Prime Minister assured the people that "Kashmir was safe in our hearts, our minds and our souls, and, therefore, the people of the State should feel safe in our secular, plural and democratic framework".