Historical moments make again a history and as it is said that it takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition, so does it hold good for an event which otherwise we should have been celebrating every year with lot of jubilation, zeal, rejoicing and exuberance. More so, thinking if it would have been otherwise, what would have been the fate of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in terms of peace, tranquillity, equality before law, religious and social co-existence and tolerance, economic development and educational pursuits. The Day of Accession, Oct 26, holds a unique niche in the psyche of the people of this constituent of the country, a particular and pointed affection towards this historic day, going down the lane in its historical perspective. Why was this day not celebrated, let alone being declared a gazetted holiday, so far apart from holding just for formality sake somewhere an event of no match, this day otherwise deserved. Better late than never, this important and historical day was celebrated for the first time with the fanfare and joy it deserved across the Union Territory on Oct 26.
Yes, people made it to let an epoch be marked – a memorable moment because it happened for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. If it is said that a sort of purgation of pent up sentiments and emotions of seven decades attached with the day was seen in full measure when people decorated street chowks, rotaries, historic places and buildings followed by dazzling illuminations, it would not be any over statement. The day got its special tinge when it was celebrated with no less gusto in the summer capital of the UT Srinagar too. Public get together(s) were held, Tricolours were hoisted whilst observing COVID-19 precautionary protocol. In Jammu, not only the BJP but many cultural and social organisations, private educational institutions and commercial institutions participated in the celebrations. Though there were series of public functions, but the one at Maharaja Hari Singh Park on the banks of River Tawi was at the top conspicuous by its extent and contents. The celebrations could be called for reasons of ”three in one” as the Accession Day, abrogation of Article of 370 and 35A and annulment of special status and declaring Oct 26 as a public holiday, the historical and daring decisions taken by the Central Government were all meriting treating the occasion with festivity and due exuberance as witnessed by all of us.
A befitting reply was received by those making separatist and secessionist statements when a ”Tiranga Rally” was taken from the famous Tagore Hall from Magarmal Bagh Srinagar as far as up to SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake.
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