Amidst rainfall, R-Day celebrated with patriotic fervor across Jammu

Governor N N Vohra inspecting Republic Day parade at Jammu.
Governor N N Vohra inspecting Republic Day parade at Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Amidst heavy rainfall and intense cold wave the 68th Republic Day was celebrated with great patriotic fervor in the length and breadth of Jammu region.
Governor N N Vohra hoisted the tricolour at the State level function held at Maulana Azad Stadium, which was attended by a large number of people despite the continuing rain.
The Governor inspected the parade and took the salute at an impressive march past which was commanded by Col Ajay Thakur, CO of 10th Battalion J&K Light Infantry. The smart contingents participating in the parade were from the Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, men and women contingents of the JKAP/IRP, J K Police, State Disaster Response Force, Himachal Pradesh Police, J&K Fire and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, ex-Servicemen, NCC Boys and Girls, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Boys and Girls from various  schools, Bands of Army, BSF, J&K Police, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and of  several Boys and Girls Schools.
Usha Vohra, First Lady; Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister; Kavinder Gupta, Speaker, Legislative Assembly; Haji Inayat Ali, Chairman, Legislative Council; Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly; Ministers; Legislators; and Judges of the State High Court, senior civil, police and Army officers, political and social activists and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
UDHAMPUR: The main function was held in the premises of Government Degree College here where Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh was the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh recalled the contribution of many prominent leaders in the freedom struggle and their contribution in framing the Constitution of the country. “It is the duty of every citizen especially the youth to make the Jammu and Kashmir proud by maintaining peace and exhibiting unity in diversity”, he said, adding “Jammu and Kashmir is a microcosm of unity in diversity and it is known for its glorious traditions of amity and tolerance”.
Highlighting the achievements of the Government in different fields, Dr Singh said the Government is committed to develop Jammu region as an independent tourist destination. He also enumerated some of the major projects underway in district Udhampur like Devika-Tawi Rejuvenation Plan, Chenani-Nashri tunnel project, development of Sudh-Mahadev and Seojdhar as tourist destinations and International Yoga Centre at Mantalai etc.
Earlier, the Republic Day function started with  Shehnai Vaadan at DC Complex and Town Hall Udhampur followed by unfurling of National Flag and taking of  salute at an impressive march past by the DyCM.
MLA, Udhampur,  Pawan Kumar Gupta, MLA Chenani, Dina Nath Bhagat, Director SKPA Rajesh Kumar,  District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Niraj Kumar, SSP Udhampur, Shailendra Mishra,  senior civil, police, Air Force and CRPF officers were present on the occasion.
POONCH: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat unfurled the National Flag and took salute on the Republic Day march past at Sports Stadium here.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister lauded the role of the paramilitary forces and the police, who, he said are making sacrifices to maintain peace and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the country. He remembered the sacrifice of Rajinder Sharma, a cop of J&K Police who laid down his life while fighting for the nation in Poonch.
The Minister called for mounting surveillance along the borders and maintaining peace within the mainland to foil the nefarious designs of the enemy aimed at subverting the peace and development in the State.
Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council Jahangir Hussain Mir, Ex Legislators of the district, District Development Commissioner Poonch, Judges, Brigade Commander 93 Infantry, prominent citizens and large number of children participated in the function.
RAJOURI: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali unfurled the Tricolor and took salute at the march past comprising contingents of Jammu Kashmir Police (JKP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu Kashmir Forest Protection Force (JKFPF) National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the children from various educational institutes of the district at DPL here.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the Constitution has made India a role model for world. “The essence of the Constitution lay in four principles, democracy, freedom of faith, gender equality and an economic upsurge for those trapped in the curse of dire poverty”, he added.
Paying rich tributes to the architect of the country’s constitution, the Minister said on this day the Constitution of India came into force and India became truly a sovereign, democratic, republic country.
Seeking cooperation of people for realizing the cherished dreams of the architects of Constitution, the Minister said people’s participation is very essential to rapid development in all spheres of life.
Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Vice-Chairman Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People, Vibodh Gupta, Member Legislative Council, Uttam Chand, DIG Rajouri-Poonch range, Shabir Ahmed Bhatt, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Suleiman Choudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police, officers of army and paramilitary forces and district and sectoral officers beside senior citizens, political and social activists were present on the occasion.
KATHUA: The main function was held at Sports Stadium where Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh unfurled the National Flag and took salute at march past comprising contingents from Police, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, Police Training School, Kathua, NCC and students from various schools.
Felicitating the people on occasion, Lal Singh said the Republic Day is a national festival and it is a matter of pride and honor to celebrate this day,” he said and added that the day has immense importance as India is officially known as “Republic of India”.
The Minister said that India is the biggest democracy of the world and brotherhood, communal harmony and tolerance are its key attributes. He said the past generations have maintained the ethos and democratic values and now it’s our responsibility to carry on with this legacy. He said India is emerging power having fast growing economy which is now making its mark in space and other fields of science.
Among others MLA Kathua Rajeev Jasrotia, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua Pawan Parihar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr Bharat Bhushan, District Officers, prominent citizens and large number of people and students were present on the occasion.
SAMBA: Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga unfurled the National Flag and took salute at march past contingents comprising of JK police, Home guard, NCC and students of various schools at Youth Services and Sports Stadium, Arazi.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister urged people to work for peace and development of the State. He also highlighted the initiatives taken by the present Government in the State.
Despite rain and cold weather, the school children presented colorful cultural programmes on the occasion which were appreciated by the audience. On the occasion prizes were announced for meritorious students and outstanding sportspersons.
MLA Samba Dr Devinder Manyal, Deputy Commissioner, Sheetal Nanda, SSP Joginder Singh, ADDC Vivek Sharma, ADC Tilak Raj Sharma, Addl SP Raja Adil Hamid, officers of police and civil administration and citizens were also present on the occasion.
RAMBAN: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary unfurled the National Flag at District Police Lines here.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister enumerated the developmental activities undertaken by the Government in the area. He said that Government has initiated various welfare schemes for uplift of women, elderly and children.
Later, prizes were distributed among the participants of parade by the chief guest, Sham Lal Choudhary, DDC Ramban Mohammad Aijaz, Commander11-Sector and SSP Ramban Randeep Kumar. The students and officials   were also awarded for their distinguished services in their respective fields.
KISHTWAR: The main function was organized at DC office complex where  Minister of State for Transport, Revenue, Rural Development, PWD (R&B), YSS, Sunil Sharma hoisted the National Flag and took salute of the march past by the contingents drawn from JKP, CRPF, IRP, FPF, NCC and school children.
Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Sharma paid homage to the great leaders who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. “We must also pay rich tributes to the founding fathers of the Constitution of India who set for us the goals of nationhood,” he added.
Sharma urged the people to remain vigilant against the anti-peace elements who, he said, are bent upon disturbing peaceful atmosphere of the region. He said peace and prosperity is imperative for development and growth of the region.
DDC Kishtwar G N Balwan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Kishori Lal, Senior Superintendent of Police Kishtwar Sandeep Wazir, district officers, prominent citizens, general public and school children attended the function.
DODA: The main function was held at District Police Lines where Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture & Parks, Priya Sethi unfurled the tricolor and took salute of the march past comprising contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, FPF, Home Guards, NCC and children from various schools.
Addressing the gathering, Priya felicitated the people and reiterated the importance of Republic Day in the history of India. She also paid rich homage to the forefathers of Indian Constitution and said that peace is required for the growth and development of the region as well as country.
She said a large number of scheme have been launched by the Government mainly focused on the youth and poor sections of the society. She said the people need to take benefit of these welfare schemes.
REASI: Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Information Technology, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, FCSCA, Tribal Affairs, Relief & Rehabilitation and Labour & Employment, Ajay Nanda unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the parade at Mini Stadium from the contingents comprising CRPF, District Police, Police Training Centre, NCC and tiny platoons from various Government and Private schools.
Addressing the gathering, Nanda underscored the importance of this historical day on which India turned into a Sovereign Democratic Republic, one of the best systems of governance prevailing in the world, adding that it was on this day in 1950 that the Constitution of India came into existence which provides equal rights of justice and development to all the citizens of the country irrespective of religion, caste, creed and colour.
A colorful cultural programme was also presented amid downpour by the students of Government and private educational institutions which enthralled the audience.
District Development Commissioner Reasi, Ravinder Kumar, SSP Reasi, ADC Reasi and other district heads, civil and police officers, prominent citizens, students, women and children were present on the occasion.

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