Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Like other parts of the country the 67th Independence Day was celebrated in Jammu division with patriotic fervour and zeal. At all the District Headquarters, Ministers unfurled the National Flags and took salute at the march pasts.
In the winter capital of the State, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand hoisted the National Flag and took salute at the march past at Mini Stadium Parade.
Addressing gathering on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister said that India’s journey from an underdeveloped nation to an emerging super power has been laid on the foundation of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and the harmonized efforts of all its citizens.
“It is the need of the hour to stand united to thwart the reprehensible intentions to disrupt and derail the peace process in the State”, he said. The DyCM pinned hope that people will redirect themselves to strengthen the secular social fabric and pluralistic ethos of the State which is acknowledged for its communal harmony and brotherhood.
He lauded the efforts of all various socio political organisations, military and paramilitary forces, police and media for their cooperation in restoring normalcy in the State and strengthening the peace initiatives in turmoil hit state. Deputy Chief Minister appealed people to strengthen the hands of the Government to build an environment of political stability, social cohesion and security for ushering the State into a new era of development.
Poonch: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla hoisted the National Flag at Sports Stadium here and took salute at an impressive march past presented by 30 contingents of JKP, NCC and students of various educational institutions of the district.
Complimenting the people on the occasion, the Minister recalled the great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Bhagat Singh and Subash Chander Bose, who made supreme sacrifices for securing Indepe-ndence of the nation. He also recalled Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for the sacrifices they made for safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation during post Independence period.
Mr Bhalla said that after gaining independence India emerged as a peace loving democratic country and at the same time made remarkable strides in agriculture, housing, 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.
He listed the achievements made in Jammu and Kashmir despite twenty years of militancy and violence. Asserting that the State is fully geared to fight militancy and the evil intensions of mischievous elements, he said that India wants to maintain friendly relations with all neighbouring countries. He appealed all political organizations to rise above party interests and strengthen the integrity of the State with the country.
Samba: Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora hoisted the National Flag in presence of MLA Samba Yash Paul Kundal at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Ground, Kehli Mandi Samba and took salute from parade comprising of contingents drawn from District Police, ex servicemen, and students of various Government and private schools.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora recalled the contributions of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and great personalities like Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel. He also paid tributes to great leaders who laid their lives for freedom struggle of the country.
The Minister lauded the Army, Para military forces for their role in safeguarding the country from internal and external threats. The Minister also lauded Jammu and Kashmir police for their exemplary devotion while maintaining law and order even in difficult times.
Reasi: The main function was held at Sports Stadium where Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, unfurled the Tri-color and took salute at the march past from the contingents of JKAP, CRPF, NCC and students from various schools. Among other presents were MLA Reasi Baldev Raj Sharma, MLC Reasi Jugal Kishore Sharma, DDC Reasi Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, all district and sectoral officers.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized the need to explore the tourist potential of the district and announced to form a Composite Tourism Authority for district Reasi.
Udhampur: The day was celebrated with high esteem, patriotic spirit
and great enthusiasm across the district. The main function was held in the premises of Government PG College (Boys) where the Minister for Planning and Development and Labour & Employment, Ajay Sadhotra hoisted the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march past presented by the jawans of JK Police, Forest Protection Force, NCC students and children drawn from various educational institutions.
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 by following the footsteps of our freedom struggle leaders in letter and spirit”, he added.
Mr Sadhotra lauded the efforts of Indian Army in supplementing the efforts of civil administration by providing infrastructural facilities and launching different welfare programmes under Operation Sadhbhawana.
Kishtwar: The main function Independence Day function was held at Kishtwar Helipad where Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah unfurled the Tricolour, inspected the parade and took the salute of parade in which the contingents of JKP, IRP, CISF, SSB, FPF, students of Boys HSS and Dog squad participated.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister exhorted them to maintain the peace loving and secular fabric of the State”. This is hard earned freedom and our leaders and people have given hundreds of sacrifices for it. We should value it and work for the progress of nation”, he said and appealed to the people to remain vigilant of divisive forces and maintain the brotherhood in the region.
Rajouri: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal, unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march past by the contingents drawn from JKP, CRPF, FRP, Armed Police, Police Band and NCC Cadets.
On the occasion, the Minister paid rich tributes to freedom fighters, who sacrificed their lives and fought selflessly to free their motherland from the clutches of British tyranny. He asked the people to imbibe in themselves high ethos of great freedom fighters for building a strong nation. He emphasized the need of encouraging moral and patriotic values among the young generation on whose shoulders lies the onus of developing a strong and progressed nation.
The Minister asked political parties to refrain from politicising issues relating to national security and terrorism saying this is not in national interest. He said India is a secular country and always wants peace and prosperity with all neighboring countries.
On the occasion, the Minister announced Rs 10,000 for the cadets and participants of the parade.
Doda: Minister of PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering, Abdul Majid Wani hoisted the Tricolor and took salute of the march past of the contingents of JKP, CRPF, JKAP, FPF, NCC and school children
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Wani expressed grief over the loss of life and property during the violence in Kishtwar. He said that anti-social elements are bent upon to disturb the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere in the region. He impressed upon the people of the region to stay united and unveil the nefarious designs of the anti-national elements.
The Minister recalled the sacrifices given by the freedom fighters, Army and security forces and people of the region in maintaining peace and harmony. He also announced that an auditorium will be constructed in the district in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in protecting the sovereignty of the country.
Later, the Minister also distributed mementoes and trophies among the march past contingents.
Kathua: Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, patriotic zeal and national fervour at Kathua. The main function was held at District Sports Stadium, Kathua where MoS Independent charge of Fish-eries, Cooperatives, Prin-ting and Stationary & Elections and MoS for Finance, Higher Education, Planning, Forests, Environment and Ecology, Labour and Transport, Dr Manohar Lal hoisted the National Flag and took salute from mega parade comprising contingents drawn from CRPF, District Police police training school, NCC boys and girls, forest protection Force and platoons of various Government and private schools.
Dr Manohar Lal Sharma recalled the sacrifices of the great martyrs, who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. He also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Subash Chander Bose and other freedom fighters.
The Minister lauded the Army, para military forces for protecting the country. He cautioned the people about communal forces, which were trying to disturb communal harmony.
Ramban: Minister of State for Agriculture, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi hoisted the National Flag and took the salute at the march past during a function held at District Police Lines here.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gurezi underlined the need for peace and communal harmony for the development of the State. He said peace and harmony is the prime requirement for speedy and concrete all round socio-economic upliftment of the State.
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