Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: The 69th Independence Day was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm across the Kashmir valley with active participation from civil administration, security forces and students of Government schools. The Ministers hoisted the National Flag at the main functions held at District Headquarters.
Baramulla: Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sukhnandan Kumar Choudhary, unfurled the National Flag at an impressive function at District Police Lines here today. The Minister took salute at the march past of well decorated contingents of J&K Police, JKAP, CRPF, Home Guards, NCC, Fire & Emergency Services, Army Band, Forest Protection Force and school children wearing colourful uniforms.
Addressing the largely attended gathering, the Minister highlighted the sacrifices of freedom fighters and said the great leaders laid down their lives fighting against British oppression and envisioned India as an independent secular and strong nation. “Real tribute to these martyrs would be to follow the path shown by them and to contribute our bit towards nation building,” Sukhnandan said.
Highlighting the importance of the day, the Minister said 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.
Reiterating the commitment for equitable development, the Minister said that the Government is firm on the resolve to ensure all the three regions of the State get benefits from the developmental initiatives. The Minister sought wholehearted cooperation from the peace loving people and maintained that peace is imperative for overall development and prosperity of the State, which has witnessed a long turmoil since last 25 years.
On the occasion, series of variety programmes were presented by the children of various schools depicting the centuries old brotherhood and composite cultural ethos of the State. The Minister also distributed awards and prized among the students who presented colorful cultural programmes and received applause from the audience.
MLA, Gulmarg, Mohammad Abbass Wani, MLA, Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh, MLA Rafiabad, Yawar Dilawar Mir, District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmed, DIG Police North, Garib Dass, senior officers of the district administration, school children, senior citizens, political workers, Sarpanchs, Panchs and a large number of people participated in the function.
Budgam: The main function was organized at Sports Stadium Budgam where Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb Drabu unfurled the tricolour and took salute of the march past which was presented by JIKP, JKAP, CRPF, NCC, 13 contingents of students from various educational institutions besides band contingent of 53 RR.
The Minister was presented guard of honour and also inspected march past in a especially decorated vehicle accompanied by SSP Budgam, Fayaz Ahmed Lone.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Drabu enumerated various initiatives the present Coalition Government has undertaken under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He said J&K needs some major changes particularly in socio-economic diversification, political transparency, change in mindset of younger generation and change in uplift of society. “This will materialize only when we are committed to give equal chances to all regions of the State to have equitable development, empowerment and economic prosperity,” he said and added that the Government is committed to protect the distinct identity of the State.
“The devastating floods of September 2014 annihilated our economy and infrastructure and led to a developmental vacuum,” he said and added that the rehabilitation and the reconstruction process would be taken to the logical conclusion. He said a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction plan would be announced soon for flood affected and its focus will be on relief, rehabilitation and livelihood.
Referring to unemployment, the Minister said the Government is going to fill up 10000 vacancies in next 4 months and for this purpose recruiting agencies have already been directed to expedite the process. “However, the unemployment can’t be tackled only by providing Government jobs and other means shall have to be explored to create opportunities in various sectors outside the Government,” he said.
He said our Government has initiated many programmes where in all the district shall be provided sufficient funds under district plan to develop infrastructure and expand economy. He said for this purpose Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has enhanced district plans of all districts to a huge extent. “If we use these funds judiciously more and more employment opportunities can be created,” he said and impressed upon all concerned agencies to create a system of honesty and also bring transparency in fund spending.
DC Budgam, Altaf Ahmad besides other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Anantnag: the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq Khan unfurled the National Flag at Government Degree College, Anantnag today.
The Minister inspected the parade, took salute on the march past by contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, IRP, Home guard, NCC, District Police Band besides the contingents of students from various schools.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that on this day we remember the freedom fighters supreme sacrifices for the independence of the country.
Reiterating commitment for equitable development, the Minister said that the Coalition Government has taken up education, health, roads, horticulture as priority sectors.
The Minister highlighted the many initiatives taken by the Government during the past 5-months for the welfare of the people and building the basic infrastructure in the state which was badly damaged during the September 2014 deluge.
Earlier, various cultural programme were presented by the Information Department and school children.
Legislators, DIG South Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, SP Anantnag besides other officers, prominent citizens, school children and large number of people participated in the Independence Day celebrations.
Kulgam: Minister for Revenue, Javed Mustafa Mir unfurled national flag and took salute of the March Past by the contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, IRP, Home Guard, NCC, District Police Band besides the contingents of students from various schools.
In his address, the Minister remembered the sacrifices of the leaders and the people of India in the struggle against the British. He said post independence era has seen tremendous transformation and growth across all sectors in the country including the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the various developmental projects taken in hand by the Government, post September 2014 floods which resulted in massive damage to the overall economy of the State, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government to put the economy of the state back on rails and provide relief to the affected people.
He said recruitment process has been fast-tracked and PSC, SSB have been strengthened to ensure that within the next few months over 10,000 recruitments take place against available vacancies in various Government departments.
Legislators, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, SP Kulgam besides other officers, prominent citizens, school children and large number of people participated in the Independence Day celebrations.
Bandipora: Independence Day was celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm at Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Stadium here. Thousands of people, besides senior citizens, political workers, officers of Army, police and civil administration, joined the celebrations.
Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari unfurled the National Flag and took salute of the march past comprising contingents of JKP, JKAP, Fire & Emergency Police, CRPF, IRP, School children and NCC Cadets. MLA, Bandipora, Usman Majid and District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Dr Shah Faisal were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister gave the historical background of freedom movement and paid tributes to the great sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. He said best way of remembering the martyrs is that our youth should rise up and stand to work hard and wage a war against growing unemployment, adding that our independence is half way until we become economically sound.
Maintaining that peace is pre-requisite for development, Molvi Ansari called upon the youth to uphold peace and tranquility in the area to achieve the better results on ground. Later, the Minister gave away awards among those who performed better in the march-past and ID celebration.
Ganderbal: Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura unfurled the National Flag and took salute on March- Past contingents comprising of JKP, JKAP, FPF, Police Training School Manigam, besides, the students of various educational institutions of the District took part in march-past.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister gave the historic back ground of freedom movement and remembered the great sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. Giving details of developmental scenario of the district, the Minister highlighted the initiatives and the programmes launched by the Government for the welfare of the people. He said improving basic facilities of the people remained high on the agenda of the Government.
Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, SP Ganderbal, Imtiyaz Ismail Parray and senior civil and police officers were present on the occasion.
Later the school children presented various cultural programmes in Kashmiri, Urdu, Pahari and Pashto languages which enthralled the audience.
The Minister also gave away prizes among the best adjudged schools and police contingents. He also distributed prizes among the students of the district for their outstanding performance in sports at State, National and International level.
Shopian: Minister for Transport, Abdul Gani Kohli inspected the parade, took salute on the march past by contingents of Police, NCC, Army Band Party besides the contingents of students from various schools.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that Independence Day is a moment to remember the freedom fighters who gave supreme sacrifices to free our country. He said this occasion is a day to take commitment to serve our motherland and contribute our part of duty and responsibility for the development and progress of the nation.
Reiterating commitment for equitable development, the Minister said that Government is firm to ensure equitable development of all the three regions of the State. He said that Government has initiated various welfare initiatives with the aim to change the socio-economic condition of the State.
Earlier, series of mesmerizing cultural programme were presented by the school children depicting century of old brotherhood, composite culture ethos in the state.
On the occasion, MLA Shopian, MLA Wachi, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, SSP Shopian besides prominent citizens, school children and large number of gathering were present on the occasion.
Pulwama: Minister for Horticulture, Haj and Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri hoisted Tri-colour at district headquarters and took salute at march past comprising contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, Home Guard, Fire and Emergency Services and Police band and school children.
MLA, Pulwama, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, MLA Pampore, Mir Zahoor Ahmed besides Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, DIG CRPF, SSP Pulwama, ADC and senior officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Veeri said that after freedom, the country has made strides during last 68 years in various sectors particularly education, science and technology, health, power and agriculture. “Our country is the largest democracy in the world where everyone enjoys fundamental rights”, he added.
Referring to the prevailing situation in the Valley, the Minister appealed the people to cooperate with the Government to bring normalcy and peace, adding that it was imperative for the socio-economic development of the State.
The Minister said that the Government is abreast with the grievances of the people; especially the youth and all available resources will be pooled to redress these. He called upon youth to utilize their energy for making their future bright and not waste precious time of their life.
On the occasion the school children presented variety of cultural programmes depicts on nation strengthen, communal harmony and brotherhood.
Kupwara: The main function was organised at District Police Lines where Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the parade by JKP, JKAP, CRPF, Civil Defence, Forest Protection Force, Fire and Emergency Services, Police besides contingents of school children from different educational institutions who also presented colourful cultural programmes to mark the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Choudhary Zulfkar, who is also the chairman of District Development Board Kupwara, said maintaining communal harmony and regional cooperation is the bedrock of the present coalition, adding that progress and prosperity of any nation depends upon these two fundamentals.
Referring to the results of the 2014 assembly elections in the State, the Minister said people have pinned high hopes on the PDP-BJP Coalition Government and it is the responsibility of this Government to come up to the expectations of the people. He said the State Government has already initiated the process of delivering on its promise of providing of accountable and pro-people Government to the people.
The Member Parliament for Rajya Sabha, Fayaz Ahmed Mir, MLA Kupwara, Bashir Ahmad Dar, MLCs Qaiser Jamshed Lone, Javed Ahmad Mirchal, ex-legislator, A R Badana, representatives of all political parties, PRIs, District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, Kumar Rajiv Ranjan, senior officers of the district administration, police and army besides public representatives and large number of people were present on the occasion.