‘Suchetgarh will soon come on world map of tourism’
Historical beginning, Beat the Retreat will be more better in coming days
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that security forces are fully alert to any kind of situation and challenges and assured the people of country as well as Jammu and Kashmir that there is no need to worry even as he declared that Suchetgarh, where ‘Beat the Retreat’ by the BSF started today, will soon be on the world and national map of tourism.
Addressing the gathering at the launch of ‘Beat the Retreat’ function at Suchetgarh along the International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector this evening and a brief chat with media persons, Sinha said: “I want to assure people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country that Army, security forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police are fully alert and alive to the situation (developing along the borders as well as in the neighbourhood). People needn’t to worry. Peace will be maintained”.
The function was also attended by Union Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh.
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He said 120 crore Indians feel safe due to security forces. Be it Jammu and Kashmir, North East, internal security or Naxalite infested areas, the BSF has been doing excellent job to maintain peace, he added.
On whether ‘Beat the Retreat’ will be taken at the level of Wagah border where Pakistan also joins the ceremony, Sinha quipped: “A good beginning has been made today. A good tradition has been set. It was a long pending demand of the people. In next few days, the ceremony will be more better”.
“Historical day for J&K. Inaugurated Retreat Ceremony at Octroi Post, Suchetgarh on the India-Pak International Border. The ceremony in the lines of Amritsar’s Wagah border reflects the great legacy and valor of Border Security Forces, India’s first line of defence,” a tweet by the Office of LG L&K said.
Sinha said ‘Beat the Retreat’ ceremony will not only bring Suchetgarh on tourist map of Jammu and Kashmir but also that of country and world.
Asserting that 12.85 lakh tourists had visited Jammu and Kashmir in the month of March despite COVID pandemic, the Lieutenant Governor said the pilgrims who visit Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine and Ragunath Mandir will come to witness ‘Beat the Retreat’ ceremony at Suchetgarh in the evening.
Sinha said the launch of ‘Beat the Retreat’ ceremony at Suchetgarh on the lines of Wagah border was a long pending demand of the people which has been fulfilled by the BSF and Tourism Department. In the coming days, the ceremony will become better.
“A historical beginning has been made on the occasion of birth anniversaries of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, former Prime Minister of India,” he added.
He noted that many sectors in Jammu and Kashmir were ignored since Independence and left undeveloped. “Now the scenario is changing. Development is taking place”.
Referring to unfurling of tricolor, he said now in every nook and corner of the Kashmir Valley, the tricolor is being hoisted.
“The Government has also decided to name roads and schools on the names of martyrs from October 15. Every Primary School in the village will be named after a martyr. If there is no martyr in the village, it will be named after a literally person,” Sinha said.