Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Various political parties, including BJP and Congress celebrated 73rd Independence Day by hoisting National Flag and organising functions with great enthusiasm and national fervour across the State on Thursday.
Leaders and activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu & Kashmir unit, including MPs and former Legislators, celebrated the Independence Day by hoisting National Flag amidst nationalist sloganeering and distribution of sweets, with enthusiasm across the length and breadth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The BJP also organised similar functions and hoisted National Tricolour at various prominent places in Jammu City. The main celebration was held at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, while the prominent leaders led by BJP State president Ravinder Raina (MLA) hoisted “Tiranga” and also unfurled the flag at City Chowk and Kachi Chawni BJP office.
MP Lok Sabha, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP Rajya Sabha Shamsher Singh Manhas, Dr Nirmal Singh, Kavinder Gupta, Rashim Dhar Sood, State vice-presidents Parmod Kapahi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, general secretary (Org) Ashok Kaul, MLC Ashok Khajuria, State general secretary Dr Narendra Singh, former Minister Sat Sharma, Arvind Gupta, Ajay Pargal, Sanjay Baru, MLC Charanjit Khalsa, Girdhari Lal Raina, Ravi Bakshi, SS Bijral, Munish Sharma, Dr Pardeep Mahotra, Baldev Singh Billawaria, Varinderjit Singh and others accompanied the State president during flag hoisting ceremonies.
Ravinder Raina while addressing the party workers said that this is very special occasion for every Indian and this particular year has invited lots of happiness to the lakhs of suffering population in the region. He said that abrogation of Article 370 has given real benefits of Independence to the women of State, Gujjars and Bakkarwals of State, Valmikis residing in the State, refugees and many other segments which accounts to way more than 50% of population of the region.
He said the dynastic rule by Congress, NC, PDP has ended both on the national as well regional level. The population of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is celebrating “Jashn-e-Azadi” with fervour to celebrate this day in every Panchayat and Ward, he said.
BJP leaders and activists celebrated the historic decision of the Union Government to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 across the state commemorated “Jashn-e-Azadi” on Independence Day at every Panchayat, Ward and Mohalla level.
BJP leaders in their speeches dedicated this historic decision to the sacrifices made by the nationalist people during the agitations in Ramban, Samba, Sunderbani and other places and said that the resounding decision has come after a long battle. They remembered the sacrifices made by the legends like Chander Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Neta ji Subhash Chander Bose, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Rani Lakshmi Bai and all those who strived hard to serve the motherland.
Rajya Sabha MP, Shamsher Singh Manhas hoisted National Flag at City Chowk, Kachi Chawani, Ploura Top and some other places. He said this year’s Independence Day is more special as top the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh because with the abrogation of Article 370, the discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh would come to an end and this entire region would witnessed better development.
BJP Jammu West unit celebrated 73rd Independence Day with great enthusiasm. Several programs were organized in all the 26 wards of Jammu West where former minister and Ex-MLA Jammu West Sat Sharma unfurled the National Flag at various places. Crowd everywhere was enthusiastic this time and chanted various nationalist slogans and all of them hailed decision of PM Narendra Modi Government over abrogation of Article 370.
BJP general secretary Yudhvir Sethi and former minister Priya Sethi unfurled National Flag at various locations in Jammu East constituency.
They hoisted Tri-colour at Pacca Danga, Purani Mandi, Paharian Mohallah, Parade, Peer Kho, Lakhdata Bazar, Prem Nagar, Canal Road & other places of Jammu city. The sweets were also distributed among the people.
Former minister Ch Sukhnandan hoisted National Flag at Marh and greeted the people on this occasion. He said this occasion is more special for the people as Article 370 has been revoked in J&K and One Country, One Flag and One Constitution is there in the entire country.
Senior BJP leader Vibodh Gupta along with other party leaders and prominent citizens hoisted Tri-colour in Rajouri and also felicitated Shanti Devi, a Praja Parishad Movement activist who faced arrest and continued her fight for Ek- Vidhan, Ek Pardhan , Ek Nishan. The BJP district unit felicitated her on the occasion of Independence Day and sought her blessings.
BJP district president, Dinesh Sharma and Bharat Bhushan Vaid also accompanied. They lauded PM Narendra Modi for revocation of Article 370 and making dream of Dr Shyama Parsad Mukherjee, and Pt Prem Nath Dogra come true.
Another BJP leader Raman Suri hoisted National Flag at Belicharna (Jammu) in presence of migrants from erstwhile Doda. The sweets were also distributed on the occasion.
Mission Modi Again PM, a Democracy Development Trust members hoisted Tri-colour at Nanak Nagar, Jammu under the leadership of Ramesh Khajuria. The members paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters also on the occasion.
Pradesh Congress Committee, president Ghulam Ahmed Mir unfurled the National Flag at Congress headquarters Shaheedi Chowk Jammu today to celebrate the 73rd Independence Day of the country.
Several senior Congress leaders, former ministers/legislators, functionaries of PCC, DCC Jammu Urban, Congress Seva Dal, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, JMC Councilors attended the function in large number. The function was organized by DCC Jammu Urban.
Senior leaders those attended included RS Chib-former minister; Balwan Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Kanta Bhan, Rajnish Sharma, Balbir Singh, Indu Pawar (Ex-MLA), Ch Shah Nawaz, Vikram Malhotra- president DCC Jammu (Urban); Rajesh Sadotra-president Seva Dal; Udhay Bhanu Chib- president PYC, Suresh Dogra, Shashi Sharma; Councilors JMC Gourav Chopra, Charanjeet Kaur and Ritu Chowdhary; Thomas Khokhar; Hira Lal Abrol, Ch Sukh Dev Singh; Mohd Iqbal Dar; Mansa Ram, Dr RK Khajuria, Rajveer Singh; Tamana Heer; Camres David, Jawahar Lal Kaul and others.
While addressing the gathering PCC chief greeted the countrymen on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day and paid rich tributes to all those freedom fighters and countrymen who struggled to attain freedom and sacrificed and suffered for this day. He saluted all freedom fighters, martyrs and their families and remembered their sacrifices and contribution for the nation & fellow countrymen. He also paid rich tributes to all those who safeguarded the freedom and unity & integrity of this country at the cost of their lives and to those who lost their near and dear ones. He recalled the great contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Dr BR Ambekar and other stalwarts of freedom movement who led the freedom struggle. He also remembered the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev and the contributions of Neta Ji Subash Chander Bose during the freedom movement.
The PCC chief said that the freedom was achieved after countless sacrifices of corers of Indians. He also remembered the supreme sacrifice of Mahatma Gandhi, Smt Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for the unity and integrity of India.
A flag hoisting ceremony was also held by Youth Congress Jammu West at celebrate Ind-Day at New Plot, Ward 16. Former minister and PCC general secretary Yogesh Sawhney was the chief guest who hoisted National Flag. He extended greetings to the people on this occasion. Manu Jamwal, DCC general secretary, Rickey Dalmotra and Nimrandeep Singh from PYC also spoke on the occasion.
Former MLA Chenani and senior Congress Krishan Chander Bhagat hoisted National Flag in a function held at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park, Dabbar Chowk in Udhampur town. Many prominent persons of the area were also present on the occasion. The sweets were also distributed among the people on this occasion. Bhagat congratulated the people on this occasion.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Sharma (Secy PCC), hoisted National Flag at Kanal village in Bishnah in presence of Block Congress Committee members on Thursday. He greeted the people on this occasion and distributed sweets.
J&K National Conference celebrated Independence Day at Sher- e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu and greeted the people on this auspicious occasion. State secretary Ajay Sadhotra hoisted the National Flag in presence of senior leader Rattan Lal Gupta, besides other senior leaders of the party. He prayed for peace, progress and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Kashmira Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Ram Paul, Brij Mohan Sharma, Vijay Bakaya, Haji Mohd Hussain, Jugal Mahajan, Dr Chaman Lal Bhagat, Bimla Luthra, Vijay Lakshmi Dutta, Satwant Kour Dogra, Chander Mohan Sharma, Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Vijay Lochan, Ch Haroon, Abdul Gani Teli, Rashida Begum, Nar Singh and others.
Senior Congress leader Advocate Maheshwar Singh Manhas unfurled the National Flag at Paloura in an impressive function.
Speaking on the occasion, he recalled the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters for the independence of the country and said that people should maintain communal harmony and brotherhood so as to foil the designs of the anti-national elements.
Prominent among others who participated included Prabudhayal Sharma, Bodh Raj, M P Singh, Pawan Kumar and others.
Janata Dal Secular, celebrated Independence Day at party office Jammu the other day. Acting State unit president of the party Ranjay Bargotra hoisted National Flag in presence of other office bearers. They also paid tributes to the freedom fighters for their supreme sacrifice. State senior vice president of JD-S, Ram Rattan Sharma hoisted Tri-colour at Kandoli Nagrota in presence of prominent people of the area.
National Democratic Party (NDP) also celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm in Bakshi Nagar area of Jammu on Thursday. Party convener, J G Sharma unfurled National Flag in presence of other senior members including, NK Attri, Vijay Anand, S. Ravinder Singh, RK Khajuria, SC Sharma, Sohan Singh and others. The members recalled the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters of the country and paid rich tributes to them. They described the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A by PM Modi as most daring and unique action in the history of the country.
Janata Dal United, State unit leader and former general secretary, Mohni Mohan hoisted National Flag at Kotla Mohalla, Udhampur Bypass Road in presence of party workers and people of the area. She remembered the freedom fighters on this occasion and paid them rich tributes. The sweets were also distributed on the occasion.
Manavadhikar Party J&K Unit also celebrated the Independence Day yesterday and held a function at Roop Nagar in which its State president Sanjay Dhar hoisted the National Flag. The speakers highlighted the sacrifices of freedom fighters and said India won freedom after a great struggle. They appealed to people to work for unity and integration of the nation.
J&K People Front also held a function at Dogra Nagar Chowk near Durga Nagar where party chairman Satish Poonchi hoisted the National Flag. On the occasion Poonchi highlighted the importance of the Day. The sweets were also distributed among the gathering.
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