SRINAGAR: Republic Day functions concluded across Kashmir and remained peaceful and incident-free. Mobile internet remained suspended and markets closed while major events took place within the designed venues including government offices.
The major event took place in Srinagar where an adviser to the Lt Governor took the salute at the ceremonial march past and unfurled the tricolour in Shjer-e-Kashmir Stadium near Sonawar. The functions were reported from all districts, tehsils, sub-districts and blocks. An official spokesman said the district official events took place in college premises in Anantnag, local stadiums in Bandipore, Budgam, Qamria Grounds in Ganderbal and District Police Line premises in Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore, Shopian, Pulwama, and Awantipore.
In all these functions in the periphery, the local heads of the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) – DDCs in districts and BDCs in blocks, presided over the functions and unfurled the tricolour. All the functions concluded with cultural events involving cadets, artists and school children and prize distribution events among a selected lot of civilians.
Offering details of the function, an official spokesman said at Anantnag, the function was held at GDC for Boys Khanabal where Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Anantnag, Mohammad Yousuf Gorsi unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the parade. The contingents from CRPF, JK Police, IRP, NCC and 108 BN took part in the march-past, an official spokesman said.
Addressing the gathering, Gorsi said that the nation is paying rich tributes to the leaders, freedom fighters and martyrs who made countless sacrifices for the freedom of the country. Glorifying their contributions, he said that it is the result of their supreme efforts that we are living in a free country.
Gorsi highlighted the Covid-19 mitigation efforts besides achievements made by the district under various priority areas including education, healthcare, languishing, back to the village, district capex, agriculture and allied sectors, women and youth empowerment, MGNREGA, JJM, water and electricity supply to Anganwadi Centres and schools, rural development, macadamization and road connectivity, Social Welfare, Nasha Mukt Bharat, Industries, self-employment and creation of durable and sustainable assets.
At Baramulla, the Chairperson of District Development Council Safeena Beigh said that the district is today recognized as an Aspirational District and the fastest developing district in the country and the need of the hour is to make the involvement of youth in the progress of the district by utilizing their potential in all the sectors.
She made these remarks on the occasion of unfurling the tricolour at a major function in the DPL where she inspected the parade and took a salute at the march past. The chairperson underlined the need to involve the youth to take part in the democratic process so that they will contribute to the national building and do their part in strengthening the democratic values of the nation, an official statement said.
In Sopore, BDC Chairperson Dr Farida Khan hoisted the Flag at Police Lines Khushal Sports Stadium Sopore and took a salute at the march past presented by the contingents of CRPF District Police Sopore, Home Guard and school children.
At Budgam, DDC Chairman Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Khan as a chief guest unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march-past at Sports Stadium Budgam, where the main function was held.
On the occasion, various contingents from JKP, JKAP, CRPF, Home guards, NCC Cadets besides Contingents of education institutions also participated in the march-past parade.
Speaking on the occasion, Khan, in his address appreciated the Covid warriors for their selfless efforts during the pandemic and highlighted the development works carried out during the year.
At Ganderbal, DDC Chairperson, Nuzhat Ishfaq unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at the march past presented at Qamariya ground. In her address, she highlighted the various developmental achievements registered by the district administration in different sectors in the district besides the implementation of welfare schemes.
At Pulwama, DDC, Syed Abdul Bari unfurled the national flag and took salute at parade comprising contingents from CRPF, JKP, JKP Women’s Wing, Commando Palato, JKAP, Fire and Emergency, Home Guard, Youth Services & Sports Contingent and Band Squad contingent. The function took place in DPL Pulwama.
In his address, Bari said it is an honour for every citizen of Pulwama that the district has been ranked as the No 1 district in the Kashmir division under the Good Governance index launched by the Union Minister of Home.
Highlighting the developmental scenario of the district, the Chairman DDC said that during the current financial year, the District Capex Budget of Rs. 407.82 cr has been approved which is three times more than the District Capex budget of 2020-21.
At Shopian, the main function took place in District Police Lines (DPL) where DDC Chairperson, Bilqees Jan hoisted the tricolour and took salute at march past presented by contingents of CRPF, JKP, IRP, Forest Protection Police, Homeguards and school children. District Magistrate, Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya was the “Guest of Honour” on the occasion.
In her address, Bilqees appreciated the District Administration for their fight against Covid19 and also hailed the people’s cooperation on this behalf and said that keeping in view the 3rd wave of Covid-19, we all should together support the District Administration in eradicating the disease entirely.
At Kulgam, a grand function was held at District Police Lines Kulgam where Chairperson District Development Council (DDC), Mohammad Afzal Parrey, hoisted the flag and took salute at the March past presented by the contingents of CRPF, JKP, JKP ladies police group, Home guard, fresh recruits, NCC cadets.
Addressing the gathering, Parrey highlighted the importance and historical background of the day. He said the efforts of the administration to combat the Covid-19 pandemic efficiently and complimented the District Administration for their meticulous planning and role.
At Kupwara, the Republic Day function was held at District Police Lines (DPL), Kupwara where Chairman District Development Council (DDC), Irfan Sultan Panditpori unfurled the national flag, inspected the parade and took salute at march past presented by contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, IRP, Home Guards, FPF and police band.
While addressing the function, Panditpuri said it is because of the great values of the Constitution, a new era of development has ushered in far-flung district Kupwara, adding that the three-tier Panchayati Raj System has built up an initiative of development across the district.
He commended the departments for working tirelessly in combating the Covid-19 pandemic of the first and second wave and appreciated the performance of all officers working under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din.
At Handwara, the Republic Day celebration was also held at District Police Lines Handwara where President Municipal Committee Handwara, Masroor Ahmad Banday unfurled the flag, inspected the parade and took salute at march past presented by contingents of JKP, JKAP, BSF, CRPF, IRP and Police band.
At Bandipora, the main function was held at SK Stadium Bandipora where Chairman District Development Council Abdul Gani Bhat unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade. The march-past was presented by the contingents of CRPF, JK Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NCC cadets, and students from different schools who also took part in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Bhat highlighted the importance of the day and highlighted the achievements registered in the district. He said the current financial year witnessed major developmental activities in the district despite major challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the people in unison bravely fought the challenges of the pandemic and lauded the efforts of the frontline workers to help in fighting the pandemic besides hailing the cooperation of the people in tackling the pandemic.
