Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Srinagar this afternoon to be with the flood affected people of the Kashmir valley on the occasion of “Deepawali”. For the first time in the history, Prime Minister of the country is celebrating Diwali in the Kashmir valley, where thousands of people were affected by devastating flood last month. Mr Modi arrived at Srinagar technical airport from Siachen glacier, where he celebrated the festival of lights with the soldiers, deployed on the highest battlefield on Earth in Ladakh region of the Jammu and Kashmir. At Technical Airport , Modi was received by J&K Governor N.N.Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior civil, Police and Army officers. The Prime Minister had one to one chat with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Technical Airport during which he was briefed by the Chief Minister about the progress in the relief and rehabilitation progress. Later, the Prime Minister flew to Raj Bhavan where he is meeting several delegations of flood victims , civil society , businessmen and political representatives.

Though the separatist outfits had called for a general strike today, common people in the valley are hopeful that Mr Modi will announce Diwali gift for their rehabilitation. Prime Minister has already announced Rs 1000 crore package for the flood affected people while the state government has sought Rs 44,000 crore package. This is the fourth visit of Mr Modi to Jammu and Kashmir . However this visit assumes significance as the major populace of the state is expecting a comprehensive relief package after the recent devastating floods that rendered lakhs of people in a state of shock and jeopardy.