Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR Aug 16: Like other parts of the country, the Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety across the Kashmir valley.
BUDGAM: Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather unfurled the National Flag at district headquarter sports stadium. He took salute at the march-past presented by the contingents of JKP, CRPF, IRP, NCC and school children.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rather remembered the supreme sacrifices offered by leaders and young volunteers to gain independence from the British rule, adding that to sustain the benefits of freedom mutual cooperation and brotherhood must exist at all times under all circumstances.
He also highlighted scores of welfare measures under taken by the Government together with several historic and path breaking initiatives to benefit the people of the State.
Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Manzoor Ahmad Lone, senior officers from civil administration, police, army, besides senior citizens, students and a large number of people attended the function.
GANDERBAL: The main function was held at Madr-e-Meharban Stadium where Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad hoisted the flag and took salute on the march past. The contingents of Jammu Kashmir Police, Forest Protection Force, CRPF and school children took part in the march past.
Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, senior civil and police officers, political leader and senior citizen of the district were also present on the occasion
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the development programmes launched by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah led Government since 2008. He said peace and development remained high on the agenda of the Government, adding that special attention was focused on improving the basic needs of the people. He said education, health, R&B, PHE, Tourism sectors remained core areas where Government achieved a lot.
Mian Altaf said that Government always tried to maintain peace, which was imperative for development and prosperity. He said record number of tourists domestic as well as foreign visited the State during past over five years of this Government. He said the people of the district are also benefited due to tourist rush at Sonamarg in addition to annual Amarnathji Yatra.
Colourful cultural programmes including skits were presented by the school children. Later, the Minister distributed awards among the students adjudged best.
BARAMULLA: Describing Independence Day as an occasion to introspect as to what has been achieved by the country and the State and what needs to be done further, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din asked people to make a pledge to make a better country, state and society.
Addressing a gathering after unfurling the National Flag, the Minister said ever since 1947, the country and the state has witnessed phenomenal growth and development in terms of infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare and social development. But, he said, much more needs to be done. He asked people to take a solemn pledge on this occasion to make a better nation, state and a better society where there is no scope for injustice, inequality or ill will.
Mr Taj said now time has come that we should fight issues like poverty, disease, unemployment and other issues to get the people benefits and taste of real freedom and liberty. He said democracy is the best gift of freedom and we have evolved as a nation where dissent is the essence of a vibrant democracy.
Earlier, on his arrival at the venue, the Minister was given a ceremonial reception. He was received by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone.
He unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march past in which contingents of J&K Police, JKAP, NCC, Fire & Emergency Services besides children from different schools participated.
ANANTNAG: Minister for Hajj, Auqaf & Public Enterprises, Peerzada Mohammad Syed, hoisted the National Flag and took salute at the march past at Government Degree College Khannabal.
The Minister besides highlighting the importance of the day listed the achievements of the Government in various sectors of development. He said that the Government in order to bring the benefits of development to the doorstep of people has formed new administrative units in the State.
Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Bashir Ahmad Khan, senior officers from civil administration, police, army, besides senior citizens, students and a large number of people attended the function.
KUPWARA: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir hoisted the National Flag at Police Lines here.
Speaking on the occasion, Mir said that Independence Day marks an occasion to remember the martyrs who laid their lives to provide us a free nation. The Minister said that for the overall development of state and in turn of the country it is important that each individual participates and contributes at its own level.
He said that the Government is making all efforts for the welfare of the youth so that their energies are channelized in the right direction by providing them better educational environment and employment opportunities.
Emphasizing the importance of water potential in the State, Mir said its judicious and proper utilization will usher the State towards energy and economic self-reliance. In this connection, he highlighted the many hydro power projects that have been started in the State.
The Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Itrat Hussain, senior officers from civil administration, police, army, students and a large number of people attended the function.
KULGAM: The day was celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety with Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo unfurling the National Flag at Degree College Kulgam. She took salute at the march-past presented by the contingents of JKP, CRPF, IRP, NCC and school children.
Highlighting the importance of the day, Ms Itoo recalled the sacrifices of great leaders who laid their lives for the achieving independence from the British rule. She appealed to people to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood so as to sustain the benefits of this freedom. The Minister highlighting the achievements of the Government said that focused attention has been paid in various sectors including health, education, women and child development, adding that scores of schemes have been implemented by the government in particular for women and child development.
The Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Nisar Hussain Wani, senior officers from civil administration, police, army, students and a large number of people attended the function.
SHOPIAN: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Ch Mohammad Ramzan unfurled the National Flag at District Headquarters here and took salute at an impressive march past presented by contingent of J&K Police, CRPF, NCC cadet and students from various education institutions.
Complementing the people on the occasion, Mr Ramzan recalled the sacrifices of great leaders who fought for achieving the freedom, citizens enjoy. He called for safe guarding, sovereignty and integrity of the nation and urged upon the people to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood.
Referring to the State’s development scenario, Mr Ramzan listed the achievement made by the Coalition Government during the past 5 years. He said that making provision for basic amenities for people living in far flung areas remained top most priority of the Government, adding that in the year 2013-14 an amount of Rs 243.44 crore has been spent in Shopian district for carrying out various developmental works.
Meanwhile, a beautiful cultural programme was also organised which mesmerized the audience. Later, the Minister distributed mementos among the participants and also among those who rendered best services in their concerned departments.
Among others who participated in the Independence Day function included MLA, Abdul Razzak, MLC Shawkat Hussain Ganai, Ex-MLA, Sheikh Rafiq, Ex-Minister, Ghulam Hassan Khan, DDC Shopian, and a large number of people, besides other senior officers of civil and police administration.
BANDIPORA: The Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety at Bandipora with Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone hoisting the National Flag and taking salute at the march past at Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Stadium here. The march-past was presented by the contingents of JKP, CRPF, IRP, NCC and school children.
District Development Commissioner, Bandipora Dr Shah Faisal, Principal District and Session Judge Bandipora Haq Nawaz Zargar, SP Bandipora, ex-legislatures, senior officers from civil administration, police, army, besides senior citizens, students and a large number of people attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the importance of the day and said that while the great Indian leaders proclaimed independence of the nation, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah along with his colleagues struggled hard to emancipate the state from the autocratic rule.
He said that the present Government led by Omar Abdullah has been very keen to take the state to new heights. He highlighting the performance of the present Government said that the people are the best judges to express their views on the performance of the Government on the socio-economic and development front.
Various cultural programmes were presented by the students and local actors to mark the Independence Day.
Later, the Minister distributed prizes and certificates among the meritorious participants and employees for their meritorious services in different fields.
PULWAMA: The Independence Day was celebrated at Police Lines with Deputy Commissioner, Sajjad Ahmad Khan unfurling the National Flag. He also took salute at the march past.
Various cultural programmes were presented on the occasion.
Prizes and certificates were also distributed among the participants.
Follow our WhatsApp channel