Ministers unfurl Tricolors at Poonch, Kathua; DDC Chairpersons in other distts
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: The Republic Day celebrations were held across the Jammu division amid elaborate security arrangements. Impressive celebrations featured march-past by the contingents, band performances and scintillating cultural programmes highlighting national unity and regional diversity.
POONCH: The day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour at the Sports Stadium where Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana unfurled the National Flag.
The celebrations featured an impressive parade by 28 contingents, including personnel from JKP, JKAP, NCC, CRPF, the Police Band and students from various educational institutions. A vibrant cultural programme showcasing the rich traditions and talent of the region added colour and energy to the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister underlined the significance of the Indian Constitution in empowering the citizens to democratically elect their Government. He paid rich tribute to the bravery and resilience displayed by the people of Poonch during Operation Sindoor, describing their courage and sacrifices as unparalleled.
The Minister made special mention of village Kalaban, which was hit by a devastating landslide in September 2025, leaving 123 families without belongings and causing losses worth crores of rupees. He said the Omar Abdullah-led Government and district administration ensured timely relief and assistance and informed that the Chief Minister has ordered allotment of five marla land to each affected family.
MLA Haveli Ajaz Ahmad Jan, Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police Poonch Shafkat Bhat, DDC Members Ch Abdul Ghani and Ch Riyaz Bashir Naaz, Advocate Mahroof Khan and Advocate Nazir Choudhary, senior officers of the district administration, representatives of civil society organisations, principals and students from various educational institutions, besides a large gathering of the general public.
KATHUA: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, Science & Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma hoisted the Tricolour and took salute at March past contingents drawn from Police, Paramilitary forces, College and School students, at Sports Stadium.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that Republic Day is not merely a national holiday but a reminder of the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into force after nearly three years of dedicated effort under the leadership of Dr B R Ambedkar. He noted that January 26 also holds historic significance as the day when the pledge of ‘Purna Swaraj’ was taken in 1930.
Chairman DDC Col (Retd) Mahan Singh, MLA Kathua Dr Bharat Bhushan, Vice Chairman DDC Raghunandan Singh, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, SSP Mohita Sharma, ADDC Surinder Mohan Sharma, DDC Member were present on the occasion.
DODA: The Republic Day was celebrated with great zeal, enthusiasm and patriotic spirit at the Sports Stadium. Chairman District Development Council (DDC), Dhananter Singh Kotwal, the chief guest, unfurled the National Flag amid a melodious recitation of the National Anthem by students. A large gathering witnessed the grand celebrations.
The chief guest inspected the parade and took the salute of the march past presented by contingents of CRPF, SSB, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu and Kashmir First Women Battalion, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC Senior and Junior Divisions, Government Degree College, Government Higher Secondary School Boys and students from various Government and private schools. The impressive parade showcased discipline, dedication and collective commitment to the nation.
The event was attended by Vice Chairperson DDC, Sangeeta Rani; Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh; SSP, Sandeep Kumar Mehta; ADC, Anil Kumar Thakur; CPO, Manesh Kumar Manhas, district officers, representatives of various political parties and several distinguished dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Dhananter Singh Kotwal paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation and also remembered the army personnel who lost their lives in an unfortunate accident in Bhaderwah.
UDHAMPUR: District Development Council Chairperson, Udhampur, Lal Chand unfurled the National Flag at Government PG Degree College Boys, Udhampur and took the salute at an impressive march-past comprising 31 contingents drawn from District Police, SKPA, Volunteer Home Guards, NCC and Police Band.
DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Sarah Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai, SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure, ADDC Jugal Kishore, DDC members, ADC Prem Singh, besides senior officers from the District Administration, Police, Army, BSF, CRPF, Air Force and prominent citizens of the district were present on the occasion.
While addressing the mammoth gathering, the DDC Chairperson said that the Constitution of independent India was implemented on 26 January 1950, providing fundamental rights to every citizen. He said Republic Day is a momentous occasion to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution and to remember the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters who secured independence for the nation.
He added that Republic Day is not merely a festival but a celebration of India’s democratic traditions and national values. On 26 January 1950, India adopted its Constitution, establishing the country as sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic. Justice, equality and freedom, he said and added that these are not merely words but the soul of India.

RAMBAN: Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC), Dr. Shamshad Shan unfurled the Tricolor at the District Police Lines. She inspected the parade comprising 23 contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, IRP, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC and students from local schools and took the salute.
The event was attended by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, DIG DKR Range Shridhar Patil; Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, SSP Ramban Arun Gupta, SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hameed, ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, Commandant CRPF N. Ranveer Singh, DDC Councillors, senior officers of the civil administration and police, prominent citizens, locals and students from various educational institutions.
While extending Republic Day greetings to the gathering, the Chairperson highlighted achievements in the Health, Education, PMGSY, Jal Shakti, JPDCL, Agriculture and allied sectors. She lauded the District Administration for effective implementation of developmental projects and flagship schemes. She also appreciated the people of Ramban for maintaining peace, communal harmony and brotherhood.
The celebrations featured a colorful cultural programme presented by local artists and students, showcasing patriotic songs and thematic performances that enthralled the audience. Prizes and awards were distributed by the Chief Guest among outstanding officers, officials, students, artists and social workers in recognition of their exemplary contributions.
KISHTWAR: District Development Council, Chairperson Pooja Thakur unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took the salute of the March Past at the main event held at the Mini Secretariat, New DC Office Complex. Contingents drawn from JK Police, IRP, CRPF, CISF, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, Girls’ and Boys’ NCC Battalions of GDC and children from various schools presented an impressive march past.
The DDC Vice Chairperson, Saima Parvez Lone; DDC Member Palmar, Tahir Masood; Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Kumar Sharma; Senior Superintendent of Police, Naresh Singh; ADC, Pawan Kotwal; PO ICDS, Rishi Kumar Sharma; CEO KDA, Kaiser Bhawani; along with other senior officers of the civil administration, police, army, CISF, CRPF, prominent members of society were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the DDC Chairperson paid homage to martyrs, freedom fighters, security forces, police personnel and citizens who sacrificed their lives for the nation, stating that their courage and sacrifices will always be remembered with deep respect.
Highlighting the significance of the day, she said “January 26 symbolizes India’s integrity, unity, sovereignty and tolerance. Despite numerous challenges, India has successfully safeguarded its democratic values and emerged as the world’s largest democracy.” She noted that Republic Day reminds every citizen of the supremacy of the Constitution of India.

SAMBA: The Republic Day was commemorated with great enthusiasm, patriotic zeal and national pride by the District Administration Samba at the Rani Suchet Singh Sports Stadium.
The Chairman District Development Council (DDC), Keshav Dutt Sharma unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march past comprising contingents from security forces, Police, NCC cadets, veterans and students, symbolizing unity, discipline and unwavering commitment to the nation.
The celebrations were further enriched by a vibrant cultural programme presented by students from different schools of District Samba, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage through performances that convey powerful messages of patriotism, social harmony and national integration, earning widespread appreciation from the audience.
The grand function witnessed the presence of MLA Ramgarh, Dr Davinder Kumar Manyal, Deputy Commissioner, Ayushi Sudan, SSP, Varinder Manhas, ADC, Jagdish Singh, along with other officers, local icons, retired army personnel, students and a large gathering of citizens from across the district.
RAJOURI: The Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and a strong sense of patriotism across Rajouri district. The main function took place here at the DPL Ground, where the Chairman District Development Council, Advocate Chowdhary Naseem Liyaqat unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at an impressive march-past.
The parade included contingents from JKAP, JK Executive Police, JK Police Band, CRPF, JK FPF, SPOs, NCC senior boys and girls and students from various schools. MLA Thanamandi, Muzaffar Khan also attended the event.
Also present were Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Sharma; DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Tejinder Singh; SSP, Gaurav Sikarwar; ADDC, Malikzada Sheraz-ul-Haq; ADC, Chander Prakash; PO ICDS, Harpal Singh; ACR, Mohd Jahangir Khan; Principal GMC, Dr Amarjeet Singh; district heads of various departments, prominent citizens and a large gathering of people.
In his address, the DDC Chairman extended warm Republic Day greetings and emphasized the importance of the day. He recalled the efforts of India’s leaders in framing the Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950. He noted that Rajouri, like other districts in the Union Territory, is progressing with several new developmental projects.
REASI: The Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic spirit here at the General Zorawar Singh Sports Stadium.
MLA Reasi, Kuldeep Raj Dubey, MLA Katra, Baldev Raj Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Nidhi Malik, ADDC Sukhdev Singh Samyal, ADC Rakesh Kumar, SSP Paramvir Singh, CPO Narinder Kumar and other district officers also attended the celebrations.
Chairman District Development Council, Saraf Singh Nag unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at an impressive march-past consisting of 21 contingents drawn from JKAP, JKP, Home Guards, STC Talwara, NCC Boys & Girls and various schools of the district.
Addressing the gathering, the DDC Chairman paid rich tribute to the freedom fighters and the architects of the Indian Constitution. He highlighted the significance of Republic Day as a symbol of India’s democratic values, unity and democratic principles and urged citizens, particularly the youth to uphold these ideals and actively contribute towards nation-building.
