SRINAGAR: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm on Saturday, with the Tricolour unfurled at major functions in Srinagar and Jammu as well as district, sub-divisional, tehsil, block and panchayat headquarters across the Union Territory.
Ceremonial parades, march-pasts, cultural programmes, patriotic songs and tableaux marked the celebrations, with students, government employees, officials and people from different walks of life participating in the national festival.
At the main function in Srinagar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hoisted the National Flag at Bakhshi Stadium and took the salute at the ceremonial parade. In his address, he reiterated his government’s commitment to taking Jammu and Kashmir to new heights of development and prosperity while continuing to work for restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Omar said his government would continue to represent and serve the people and stressed that development, employment and prosperity had to be translated into action. He also emphasised the importance of democracy and federalism and called for transparent, merit-based and fair recruitment and admission processes.
He also paid tribute to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who resisted the tribal invasion of 1947 and recalled the sacrifices made in defending the region. He called for peace, development, democracy and justice and stressed the need for continued engagement between the government and people.
In Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary hoisted the National Flag at M.A. Stadium and took the salute at the parade. He highlighted the government’s focus on roads, bridges, power, water supply, healthcare, education, agriculture and industry, besides employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for local youth.
Choudhary expressed concern over drug abuse among youth and called for a collective campaign involving families, educational institutions and civil society. He also stressed environmental conservation in view of cloudbursts, floods and landslides and appealed to the Centre to fulfil its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
At the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Jammu, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar hoisted the National Flag in the presence of officers and officials. School students were invited as special guests and led a soulful rendition of the National Anthem. The Divisional Commissioner felicitated the students and appreciated their enthusiastic participation.
Across Jammu division, the national festival was marked at government departments, courts, educational institutions and district headquarters.
In Udhampur, the main function at Government PG Degree College Boys saw Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa hoist the Tricolour and take the salute from an impressive march-past comprising 35 contingents. Students presented cultural performances based on patriotism, national unity and the region’s heritage.
Samba celebrated the occasion at Rani Suchet Singh Sports Stadium, where Deputy Commissioner Ayushi Sudan hoisted the National Flag and took the salute. The celebrations focused on development, youth empowerment, education, employment and the campaign for a drug-free society.
In Doda, the district-level function at Sports Stadium featured contingents of police, paramilitary forces, NCC cadets and students. Patriotic songs, folk dances and other cultural performances added colour to the celebrations. The administration highlighted progress in education, agriculture, tourism, youth empowerment and employment.
Reasi celebrated the day at General Zorawar Singh Sports Stadium, where Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek hoisted the Tricolour and took the salute. Students presented patriotic and theme-based performances highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and composite culture.
In Ramban, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan hoisted the National Flag at District Police Lines and took the salute from contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, SSB, IRP, Home Guards, NCC and students. Similar celebrations were held at Banihal, Ramsoo, Gool, tehsil and block headquarters.
Rajouri witnessed celebrations at District Police Lines, where District Development Commissioner Abhishek Sharma highlighted development in border and tribal areas, education, healthcare, housing, connectivity and youth empowerment. He also called for greater preparedness following the recent flood situation and urged people to join the campaign against drug abuse.
In Kashmir division, Independence Day was celebrated at district, sub-divisional and tehsil headquarters, with Deputy Commissioners hoisting the Tricolour, inspecting parades and taking salutes. Colourful cultural programmes and student participation marked the celebrations across the Valley.
In Baramulla, Minister Javid Ahmad Dar highlighted progress in agriculture, healthcare, education, women and youth empowerment, rural development, connectivity, social welfare and self-employment, while stressing transparent and people-centric governance.
Pulwama held its main function at District Police Lines, where Deputy Commissioner Dr Basharat Qayoom highlighted development in health, education, agriculture, horticulture, roads, employment and infrastructure. He also stressed youth skill development and the campaign against substance abuse.
In Ganderbal, the celebrations at Qamaria Stadium featured a march-past and cultural performances. The administration highlighted major infrastructure projects, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and youth entrepreneurship, besides its campaign against drug abuse. Functions were also held at sub-divisional, tehsil, block, panchayat and educational institution levels.
Bandipora witnessed a particularly vibrant celebration at Government Higher Secondary School Nadihal, where Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib hoisted the National Flag and took the salute. The parade included police, CRPF, BSF, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC cadets and students. Cultural performances included patriotic, Kashmiri, Shina and Gojri songs, besides an Assam Bihu dance presented by CRPF personnel.
In Handwara, Additional Deputy Commissioner Javed Naseem Masoodi unfurled the National Flag at District Police Lines and took the salute at a parade involving police, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC cadets and students. Departmental tableaux showcased development initiatives and welfare schemes.
The border region of Karnah also witnessed large participation, with students, civil administration, police, Army, BSF, civil society and local residents joining the celebrations. SDM Karnah Mohd Raiyaz hoisted the Tricolour, followed by a march-past and cultural performances showcasing the region’s traditions and the message of unity in diversity.
In Shopian, Deputy Commissioner Shishir Gupta hoisted the National Flag at District Police Lines and took the salute at a parade involving police, CRPF, women police, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC and students. Cultural programmes reflected the district’s heritage and patriotic spirit.
Kulgam celebrated the occasion at District Police Lines with a parade comprising J&K Police, Armed Police, CRPF, Women Police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and students. Patriotic performances and band displays drew applause from the gathering.
In Kupwara, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani highlighted development projects, education, healthcare, connectivity and employment opportunities, saying the government’s vision included peace, progress, restoration of statehood and opportunities for youth.
Kishtwar celebrated the occasion at Chowgan Grounds, where Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma hoisted the Tricolour and took the salute at the march-past. Students and local artists presented patriotic and traditional songs and dances.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, also hoisted the National Flag at the Amar Niwas Complex in Srinagar and received the salute from a CRPF contingent. He called upon government employees to uphold integrity, improve efficiency, use technology and adopt a citizen-centric approach in public service.
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh celebrated Independence Day at both Jammu and Srinagar wings. At Srinagar, Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar hoisted the National Flag. In a notable feature, lawyers representing all districts of the Kashmir Valley participated in the celebrations at the High Court Complex.
The celebrations also extended to District Courts across Kashmir and Jammu, where judicial officers hoisted the National Flag and paid tribute to freedom fighters while reaffirming their commitment to justice, equality, constitutional values and access to justice.
Government departments and educational institutions also joined the celebrations. SKUAST-Kashmir marked the occasion at its Shalimar campus, where Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai stressed agricultural innovation, farmer empowerment, food security and climate-resilient agriculture. Similar ceremonies were held across its faculties, colleges, KVKs and research stations.
The Skill Development Department, JKEDI and Government College of Education Srinagar also held flag-hoisting ceremonies, focusing on vocational education, entrepreneurship, responsible citizenship and the role of students in nation-building.
From the main venues in Srinagar and Jammu to remote border areas, villages, courts, schools and government offices, the celebrations brought together people from different sections of society under the Tricolour, with patriotic programmes and cultural performances reflecting Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse traditions.
The celebrations concluded with renewed calls for unity, peace, development, constitutional values, youth empowerment and public service, while the political leadership reiterated the demand for restoration of statehood and the government’s commitment to taking Jammu and Kashmir towards greater prosperity.
