Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: The 68th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour and zeal across the Jammu region with Ministers unfurling the National Flag at District Headquarters and making fervent appeal to the people to maintain communal harmony to strengthen democracy.
JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march past of contingents drawn from J&K Police, Forest Protection Force, SDRF, Fire Emergency Services, NCC and educational institutions at an impressive function at Mini Stadium Parade Ground.
Minister of State for Revenue, Hajj and Auqaf, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, IGP Rajesh Kumar, senior officers, prominent citizens, general public and students in large number were present on the occasion.
Paying rich tributes to the freedom fighters, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Nation owes gratitude to these great leaders who sacrificed their lives to secure freedom from foreign rule. He also paid tribute to the soldiers and security personnel who stand as the guardians to maintain peace and protect the sovereignty of the country.
We all have to strive hard together for maintaining communal harmony and ensure that the benefits of development percolate down to each and every strata of society” he added. He underlined the importance of sustained peace and amity in the State and called upon all the stakeholders to rise above the issues of caste and religion and focus on inclusive growth of one and all.
Earlier, students of Government and private educational institutions presented a scintillating cultural programme depicting rich culture and conveying the message of patriotism and national integration.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced an award of Rs 1 lakh for the participating students and march past contingents.
SAMBA: Minister for Urban Development and Local Urban Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora hoisted the National Flag and took salute at the march past by the contingents of JKAP, Forest Protection Force, NCC Boys and Girls.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora said that the State is moving steadily on the path of development with a special focus on the core sectors like health, education, power, road connectivity and infrastructure enhancement.
He said that various schemes contemplating the development of rural areas have helped in ensuring that the gap between the urban and rural areas is abridged in an effective manner. “Peace is imperative for development”, he said and exhorted upon the people to strengthen the development initiatives and join hands to take the State on the path of progress.
On the occasion, a scintillating cultural programme was also presented by the students drawn from the Government and private schools .
REASI: The main function was held at Sports Stadium where Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, unfurled the Tricolor and took salute at the march past from the contingents of JKP, IRP, CRPF, NCC and students from various schools.
Mir greeted the general public and paid rich tributes to the great leaders of the freedom movement who sacrificed their lives for the cause of nation.
The Minister said that during period of present Government extraordinary change have been witnessed in the development profile of the State with implementation of core sector projects.
Various educational institutions also presented a scintillating cultural programmes based on national patriotism and national integration on the occasion.
POONCH: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports, Raman Bhalla hoisted the National Flag at Sports Stadium and took salute at an impressive march past presented by the JKP, JKAP, NCC, Band of 93- Infantry, QRT Commando and students and children of various educational institutions of the district.
Complimenting the people on the 68th Independence Day, the Minister recalled the great freedom leaders Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Subash Chander Bose and highlighted the supreme sacrifices made by them for securing independence for the nation.
Bhalla said that after gaining independence, India emerged as a peace loving democratic country and at the same time made remarkable strides in agriculture, science and technology, industry education, health, human resource, roads, and buildings. He said the visionary policies of post independence leaders has enabled India to achieve the status of a world’s growing economic power.
Mr Bhalla called upon all the citizens of nation to unite for thwarting the nefarious designs of elements inimical to peace and tranquility.
On the occasion, the students of various schools presented a colourful cultural programme which was highly appreciated by the jam-packed audience.
Mr Bhalla distributed prizes among the best-adjudged schools for presenting cultural programme and march past contingents.
UDHAMPUR: The Indep-endence Day was celebrated with patriotic spirit and enthusiasm across the district.
The main function was held in the premises of Government PG College (Boys), Udhampur where the Minister for Planning and Development and Labour and Employment, Ajay Sadhotra hoisted the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march past of 44 contingents of JK Police, Forest Protection Force, NCC and students drawn from various educational institutions. A scintillating cultural programme was also presented by different educational institutions depicting patriotism, traditional rich culture and message about social evils.
MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal , Director SKPA, Danesh Rana, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Gareeb Dass, SSP Udhampur, Suleman Chowdary, senior civil, police, Army and CRPF officers, prominent citizens and people in large number were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister recalled the services of frontline leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and sacrifices made by numerous freedom struggle heroes in attaining freedom. “It is now prime duty and responsibility of every citizen especially the youth to keep this hard won freedom intact and flourish day by day by maintaining unity in diversity and following the footsteps of the freedom struggle leaders in letter and spirit”, he added.
The Minister called upon the people not to pay heed to the nefarious designs of those who mislead people by false slogans to meet their personal interests. He asked the people to extend their whole hearted cooperation to the Government for maintaining peace and prosperity in the State.
He also distributed trophies and certificates of merit among the students who excelled in academics, march past and culture etc.
RAJOURI: The Indepen-dence Day was celebrated with national spirit and enthusiasm across this border district despite inclement weather.
The main function was held at District Police Line Rajouri where Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma unfurled the National Tri-colour and took salute at the march past comprising contingents of CRPF, JKAP, JKP, Auxilliary police, J&K Forest Protection Force, NCC and school children of various educational institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister recalled the sacrifices made by the patriots and freedom fighters to liberate the country from foreign rule. He also paid tributes to the army, security force and police personnel who laid their lives to protect the borders and frustrate the designs of the elements inimical to peace.
He called upon the people to imbibe in them national spirit and contribute towards the development, peace and prosperity of the nation as it would be the true tributes to the freedom leaders. “India has emerged as a great nation and is reckoned as a great economic power. To maintain its pace of progress every individual have to contribute his bit to achieve the set goals”, he added
Stressing that sustained peace was imperative for development of the nation the Minister asked the people to maintain communal harmony and cooperate with the government in maintaining law and order and implementation of the polices .
DODA: Independence Day function witnessed much enthusiasm and national spirit with Minister for PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani unfurling the Tricolour and taking salute of the march past amidst enthusiasm and fervour.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Wani highlighted the achievements made by the Coalition Government for overall upliftment of the socio-economic condition of the people of the State. He revealed that the road connectivity in the Doda district has been improved from below 10% to about 50% with the construction of a massive roads network.
He recalled the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters to liberate the country from the British rule and called upon the people to follow the footprints of these leaders to make this country a prosperous nation.
Later, a colourful cultural program was presented by the school children, cultural academy and Information Department which kept the audience spell bound.
MLC Khalid Najib Sohrawardy, District Development Commis-sioner Doda Shyam Vinod Meena, SSP Doda M S Chouhan, CO 10 RR Doda Col. Sunil Mishra, ADC Doda Imam Din, ACR Doda S C Dogra among others also attended the function.
KISHTWAR: Independ-ence Day was celebrated across the district with patriotic fervour and gaiety. The main function was organised at historic Chowgan ground where Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah hoisted the Tricolor and took salute at the march past.
All the district officers, besides senior Army officers, Government employees, school children and other prominent citizens attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Mir Saifullah paid glowing tributes to the freedom fighters and recalled the sacrifices made by them to liberate the country from foreign rule.
A colourful cultural programme was presented by school children, which enthralled the audience. The Minister also distributed prizes among the parade contingents and school children.
KATHUA: Minister of State with Independent Charge of Fisheries, Cooperatives Printing and Stationary, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma hoisted the National Flag and took salute of parade comprising of contingents drawn from CRPF, District Police, Police Training School, NCC Boys and Girls, Forest Protection Force and students drawn various Government and private schools.
Dr Sharma greeted the people and said that the day has immense significance as the India won independence after hard struggles and sacrifices of thousands of valuable lives. He recalled the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Subash Chander Bose, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in the freedom struggle.
He appealed the people not to fall prey to the nefarious designs of anti-national elements who always aim to disturb the peace and tranquility of the State and country.
Students of various schools presented colourful cultural programme.
RAMBAN: Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry (Independent Charge), PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Horticulture, Agriculture & Floriculture Nazir Ahmed Gurezi hoisted the National Flag and took salute on the march past.
The Minister, while addressing the public, highlighted the achievements of the present Coalition Government. He congratulated the people and recalled the sacrifices made by the freedom leaders to secure independence for the nation.
He appealed people to maintain peace and harmony in the for overall prosperity and development of the State.
The address of the chief guest was followed by a colorful march past by J&K Police, CRPF, JKAP, JKFPF, NCC Cadets and students of various schools. A galaxy of cultural programmes by school children added to the beauty of this memorable event. More than a dozen of schools participated in these cultural programmes.
MLA Ramban Ashok Kumar besides all district officers were also present on the occasion.
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