Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: The Independence Day was celebrated across the Kashmir province with great pomp and show.
Budgam: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather unfurled the Tricolour and took salute on the march past comprising contingents of CRPF, J&K Home Guard and students of 22 schools of the district.
The District Development Commissioner Budgam, Khursheed Ahmad, SSP Budgam, Mohammad Irshad, a large number of people, senior citizens, political leaders, socio-religious workers and school children were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister while recounting the supreme sacrifices offered by the great leaders to get freedom from the slavery of British rulers called for collective efforts to safeguard it. He cautioned the people against the communal and divisive forces, who are bend upon to disintegrate the society and the country on the basis of religion, region, caste and creed.
He called upon the people to contribute in safeguarding the hard-won freedom by thwarting their nefarious designs. He also saluted Army and Security Forces for guarding borders of the country to stop intrusion of the enemy and also lauded the J&K Police in maintaining peace and law and order in the State despite heavy odds.
On this occasion, a colourful and a scintillating culture programme was presented by the J&K Information Department and NYK artists which enthralled the audience.
Ganderbal: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad hoisted the National Flag at Madre-e-Meharban Stadium and took salute the parade.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the initiatives and the programmes launched by the Government for welfare of the people. He said improving basic facilities of the people remained high on the agenda of the Government.
The Minister said that establishment of Central University in Ganderbal district was the biggest achievement of the present dispensation. He said that ground work on construction of Zojila tunnel has been started, adding that the people of Ganderbal would be benefitted largely once the tunnel is completed.
On the occasion, the students presented variety of cultural programmes in Kashmiri, Pahari and Pashto languages which enthralled the audience. The Minister also gave away prizes among the best adjudged schools and police contingents.
Anantnag: Minister for Haj and Auqaf and Public Enterprises, Peerzada Mohammad Syed hoisted the National Flag and took salute of the march past.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted achievements of the present Coalition Government. He congratulated the people and commemorated the martyrdom of the freedom fighters with whose blessing was being celebrated as 67th freedom day.
The address of the chief guest was followed by colourful march past by J&K Police, CRPF, JKAP, Fire Sevices, NCC Cadets and students of various schools. A number of cultural programmes by school children and Department of Information added to the beauty of this memorable event. More than a dozen of schools participated in these cultural programmes.
Later, prize distribution ceremony was organized in which the chief guest along with DDC Anantnag presented prizes to meritorious services, performances of different departments in making the event a success and best performances in the march past and cultural programmes presented on the occasion.
MLA Bijbehara, A R Veeri and MLC, Dr B A Veeri and the district officers were also present on the occasion.
Kupwara: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir unfurled Tri-colour at District Police Lines and took salute on the march past presented by contingents of JKP, Home Guard, JKAP, IRP, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, NCC and school children. The school children and local artists also presented cultural programmes on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister apprised the people about the internal and external threats looming large on the State. He stressed the need for working together for the peace, prosperity and welfare of the state. He urged upon the educated youth for working honestly and dedicatedly for their bright future, saying that they have to come forward for availing benefits of the schemes launched by the Central and State Governments for their welfare. He said that along with the Country, the State also has achieved a lot in various sectors.
The artists for Information Department and school children performed colourful culture programme on the occasion. Later, the Minister presented awards and trophies who performed well on the occasion of Independence Day.
Among others, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Itrat Hussain Rafique, SSP, Abdul Jabar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, besides senior civil and police officers from district administration, Army officers, political leaders, prominent citizens and large numbers of people and school children were present on the occasion.
At Karnah Vice Chairman Pahari Advisory Board, Kafeel-ur-Rahman hoisted the National Flag and took salute on the march past at Tangdhar.
Shopian: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, unfurled the National Flag at an impressive function organized by the administration at Fruit Mandi Complex.
The Minister inspected the parade and took salute on the march-past by the well decorated contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, NCC and school children wearing colourful uniforms.
While addressing a largely attended gathering, the Minister saluted the sacrifice of freedom fighters and said that great leaders laid down their lives fighting against British oppression and envisioned India as an independent secular and strong nation. “Real tributes to the leaders is to follow the path shown by them and to contribute our bit towards nation building”, Ramzan added.
Highlighting the importance of the day, the Minister said that it marks the beginning of our country’s existence which, he said, has now emerged as a strong nation in the world. He said the towering leaders had fought for making the nation free from oppression and they ensured equality and liberty to all citizens of India including the coming generations.
Pulwama: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march past.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister remembered the sacrifices of great leaders of the country who laid their lives for liberating the country from the clutches of Britishers’. He said, “we should not forget those leaders who took part in the freedom struggle for freeing the country from colonism. We have also to pledge working for the unity, integrity and welfare of the country and State as well”.
Mr Sagar also enumerated the various initiatives undertaken by the Government for ensuring the overall development of State besides ensuring the democratic decentralization of the powers to the grass root level.
Baramulla: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din hoisted the National Flag and inspected the parade.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister saluted the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for ensuring the freedom of the country, maintaining that it is our duty to uphold it. He said after independence, the country has been registering progress in every field including our State.
Referring to recent incidents of violence, the Minister said that some communal forces are trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere and divide people of the State. The forces playing with the unity and integrity of the country and State would be dealt with iron hand, he said, adding that J&K is abode of amity and brotherhood since long and no one would be allowed to disturb it.
The Minister also handed over certificates and mementos to artists who performed well on the occasion. He also announced arranging one day tour to Gulmarg for the school children who participated in the Independence Day celebrations.
Bandipora: Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone hoisted the National Flag and took salute on the march past presented by the contingents of JKP, IRP CRPF, NCC and school children.
MLA Bandipora Nizamudin Bhat, DDC Bandipora M Y Zargar, Ex Legislators, Senior Officers and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
Highlighting significance of Independence Day, the Minister said that the best way of commemorating the freedom fighters of the nation is to ensure peace and communal harmony in the State for sustainable development.
Enlisting the major achievements of the present Government, the Minister said that crores of rupees are being incurred on the execution of various development projects to strengthen the basic infrastructure in Health, Education, PHE, Power and other Sectors..
On the occasion, variety Cultural programmes were presented by the school children.
Kulgam: Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo unfurled the National Flag in the premises of Degree College and took salute from the contingents of JKP, IRP CRPF, NCC and school children.
Speaking on the occasion, she paid tributes to those who laid down their precious lives for liberating the country from the clutches of the foreigners. “It is day to see that how much progress we have made during the past more than six decades on the front of removing un-employment, backwardness, eliminating poverty from the State besides, providing the people with quality services”, he added.
On the occasion, variety Cultural programmes were presented by the school children.
Later, the Minister distributed prizes among best performance including school children artists.
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