Saturday, March 18 2006 12:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Striking an optimistic note on the situation in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Governor S K Sinha today(Mar 18,2006) said hope and optimism prevails in the valley as the situation there has improved.

"Things are improving. We are coming out of the tunnel. There is hope and optimism in the state," Sinha, here to attend the passing out parade of Officers Training Academy, told reporters here.

Stating that in June 2003 when he took over as Governor 'bullets were flying in Srinagar city and guns were booming,' he said, "A feeling of normalcy is coming and it can be seen."

The average killings per day had dropped from 10 in 2003 to two now.

He said the proxy war and terrorism in that state over the last 16 years had taken its toll as it had its effect on Kashmiri's tradition.

However, despite all the change, things were improving and "There are very healthy and good signs," he said and quoted the famous saying 'Paradise lost will be paradise gained.'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was holding talks with various groups in a bid to resolve the Kashmir issue, he said adding even Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad has brought a 'breath of fresh air' with his nationalistic view and opinion.