Friday, June 10 2005 13:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Leh (JK): Affirming his Government's commitment to the modernisation of infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Jun 10, 2005) said investments would be made in various sectors to ensure better "emotional and economic" integration.

Addressing a function in Leh to rename the Leh Airport after Kushok Bkulah, a towering figure of Ladakh, the Prime Minister asserted that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh would be a beneficiary in the process of modernisation of infrastructure.

"Our Government is committed to the modernisation of our infrastructure across the length and breadth of the vast subcontinent," Singh said.

"From the islands of Bay of Bengal to Himalayan mountains, we will invest in the modernisation of airports, railways, roads, waterways, and telecommunication infrastructure," he said.

The Prime Minister said, this "will ensure that the emotional and economic integration of the country is better enabled".

Singh, who is on a three-day visit to the northern State, will be visiting Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, on Sunday (Jun 12, 2005).

This is the first time that a Prime Minister is visiting this inhospitable glacier. During his visit to Siachen, the Prime Minister will address the jawans guarding the borders under sub-zero conditions.

Singh will be in Leh today and tomorrow (Jun 11, 2005) and would attend the annual Sindhu Darshan festival.

Responding to the demand by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his deputy Mangat Ram Sharma for more flights to Ladakh, the Prime Minister assured that all "obstacles" in the path of connectivity of this mountain-locked region would be removed so that its full tourism potential can be exploited.

Emphasising that the Government would invest in the development of social infrastructure across the country, he said better schools, hospitals and urban facilities would be ensured.

The Prime Minister said expansion of healthcare and education were of top priority to the Government and Jammu and Kashmir could also benefit in this regard.

He also hoped that modernisation of the Leh airport would bring more tourists, investors, schools and men of peace and piety to this remote corner of the country.

By renaming the Leh airport after 'Bakula', a great son of Ladakh, "we are committing ourselves to improving the connectivity between Ladakh and rest of the country", Singh said.

The Prime Minister also paid tributes to Bakula saying he was a unique "lama" of great talent and exceptional gift.

Bakula, a towering figure of Ladakh and former Indian ambassador to Mongolia, had passed away over a year ago.