SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday hoisted the National Flag and inaugurated the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Flag Point at JDA Park, Ram Vihar, Jammu, to mark the 82nd anniversary of the hoisting of the Tricolour on Indian soil by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1943.
The event commemorated December 30, 1943, when Netaji declared Port Blair free from British rule, a moment regarded as a significant milestone in India’s freedom struggle. The initiative aims to honour Netaji’s contribution to the Independence movement and keep his legacy alive for future generations.
Paying tributes, the Lieutenant Governor said the “Jai Hind” slogan coined by Netaji remains a symbol of national valour that once united the Azad Hind Fauj and continues to inspire the nation. He described Netaji’s patriotism as unparalleled and said his emphasis on unity, empowerment of youth and women, economic self-reliance, industrialisation and promotion of small-scale industries laid a strong foundation for a self-reliant India.
Sinha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that Netaji’s legacy receives its due recognition in national history. He also described Jammu as a symbol of India’s national unity and an unbroken cultural stream, noting that the region’s people have preserved the spirit of complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir through generations.
Emphasising unity as a source of strength, the Lieutenant Governor urged citizens to preserve shared heritage and values. He appreciated the Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Development Authority, Housing and Urban Development Department and the District Administration for their collaborative efforts in establishing the Flag Point and called for annual commemorative events on December 30.
During the programme, the Lieutenant Governor visited a photo gallery depicting the life and legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, while a documentary highlighting his leadership and role in India’s Independence was also screened.
The ceremony was attended by MLAs Sham Lal Sharma and Arvind Gupta; Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Mandeep Kaur; Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti; DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range Shiv Kumar Sharma; Municipal Commissioner Jammu Devansh Yadav; Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas; Vice Chairman JDA Rupesh Kumar, senior civil and police officers, Padma Shri awardees Prof Vishwamurti Shastri and Dr S P Varma, prominent citizens and people from various walks of life.
