Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Various political parties celebrated 78th Independence Day with national fervour and patriotism across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bharatiya Janata Party, J&K Unit celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the National Flag amidst nationalist sloganeering and distribution of sweets, across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir.
At BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Ravinder Raina, president, J&K unit, Ashok Koul, general secretary (organization), and Kavinder Gupta, former Dy CM hoisted the national flag. Aseem Gupta, Neelam Langeh, Tilak Raj Gupta, Dr Pardeep Mahotra, Rekha Mahajan, Lt Gen (Retd) Rakesh Sharma, Prof Kulbhushan Mohtra, Arun Prabhat Jamwal, Ranjodh Singh Nalwa and others were present on the occasion.
At Pt Prem Nath Dogra Bhawan, Kachi Chawni BJP office, former minister Sat Sharma, former MP Shamsher Singh, Arvind Gupta, Veenu Khanna, Parmod Kapahi, Ayodhya Gupta and others hoisted the national flag.
At City Chowk, MP (Lok Sabha), Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP NEM Priya Sethi, vice-president Yudhvir Sethi, Purnima Sharma, Sunil Prajapati, Hari Om Sharma and others hoisted the ‘tricolor’.
Congratulating fellow citizens on the occasion, Ravinder Raina stressed that we can breathe in free air because of the sacrifices of the national heroes. He remembered the supreme sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Mangal Pandey, Tantya Tope, Chander Shekhar Azad, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, and other freedom fighters.
Independence Day celebration at the BJP election office in Udhampur East, was marked by a vibrant and patriotic atmosphere. The flag was hoisted by Surendra Singh Khalsa, Parbhari of Udhampur East Vidhan Sabha.
Ranbir Singh Pathania, BJP spokesperson, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need to combat fundamentalism and divisive forces. He called for a firm stand against fundamentalism, bigotry, and terrorism, advocating for the protection of religious freedom, tolerance, and mutual respect on a global scale.
Rakesh Sharma, Mandal president of Jaganoo, Samar Singh, Pankaj Gupta, Jivan Sharma, Swaran Singh and others were also present.
Senior BJP leader Arun Khanna and former Chairman, Public Health and Sanitation (JMC), hoisted the National flag on the occasion of Independence Day, at Rehari Colony Chowk, Kotli Colony and Sarwal Chowk in Jammu. He also addressed the gatherings there.
Ishant Gupta (Adv), State IT Head of BJP J&K, and Neena Gupta, former Corporator, celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the national flag at Shri Ram Chowk (Old Khooda Chowk) in Ward No. 50, Channi Himmat, Jammu.
The ceremony commenced with the patriotic slogans “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” and concluded with the singing of the national anthem and the distribution of sweets, filling the atmosphere with a sense of pride and patriotism.
Ishant Gupta emphasized the significance of Independence Day and urged everyone to uphold the values of unity, integrity, and patriotism.
Neena Gupta, expressed her gratitude to the attendees and stressed the importance of remembering the struggles that led to India’s freedom. She encouraged the younger generation to take inspiration from the nation heroes.
The event was graced by Poonam Gupta, Kamlesh Magotra, Rajinder Kumar Gupta, Anil Gupta, Yudhveer Singh, Rahul Gupta and others.
Sajad Reshi, the IT Head of the Jammu & Kashmir BJP Minority Morcha, extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the country on the auspicious occasion of the 78th Independence Day of India. In his message, Sajad expressed deep pride in the nation’s achievements and the sacrifices made by the countless freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the motherland. He emphasized the importance of unity, integrity, and patriotism.
Braham Jyot Satti, Incharge BJP OBC Morcha Jammu Kashmir, celebrated the special and auspicious occasion of Independence Day along with Muslim Rashtriya Manch unfurled Tricolor at Shakti Nagar Jammu and attended flag hoisting ceremonies at different sites in Jammu and unfurled Tricolour along with dignitaries .
Malikzada Mohd Shahzad (Legal advisor J&K, Ladakh UT’s and Chairman “The Social Welfare Organisation Of India”) and dignitaries were present on the occasion. The program was organised by Jagdish Choudhary, Raja Ram and Parveen Badyal .
RSS’s All India Executive Member and former joint general secretary Dr Manmohan Vaidya hoisted the national flag in Srinagar on Independence Day.
Wishing the people of India and Jammu and Kashmir on this day Vaidya said that Indian culture is the Ganges, which has charity and acceptance of all. Spiritual democracy is the core theme of India. Indian philosophy of life rejects Westernism.
After hoisting the tricolor and singing the national anthem, Dr Vaidya presented sweets to the security personnel and wished them Happy Independence Day. On this occasion, National secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Mustafa Ali, ABVP Srinagar president Arif Shafi and ABVP Srinagar secretary Anjum Saqib were also present.
The volunteers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh hoisted the flag at various places in Jammu and Kashmir and saluted the heroes of the freedom movement to mark the Independence Day.
The main program in the city was organized at Keshav Bhawan, the provincial headquarters of the Sangh in Ambphala. On this occasion, RSS Prant Sanghchalak Dr Gautam Mengi hoisted the flag. The national anthem was sung along with the flag hoisting and later Dr. Gautam Mengi honored the security forces present at the program. The program was organized by Dr Hedgewar Smriti Nyas, Jammu and Kashmir.
Congress Party on Tuesday celebrated Independence Day at Srinagar Party office and unfurled the tricolor followed by the singing of National Anthem.
In an extraordinary function, senior Congress leaders, JKPCC office bearers, DCC presidents and prominent Party workers including frontal organizations celebrated the 78th Independence Day and exchanged greetings. The jubilant Congress cadres distributed sweets on this occasion.
Tricolour was hoisted by JKPCC senior vice president and Ex- MLC, G N. Monga, followed by guard of honour by CRPF contingent post at Congress headquarters. Monga recollected the supreme sacrifices of freedom fighters, who fought for the dignity and honour of the Nation and laid down their lives to achieve freedom from the barbarism unleashed by the British Colonial Rule.
He said on August 15, 1947 Pt JL Nehru hoisted the Indian National Flag at Red Fort in Delhi, subsequently, it became a tradition that every Prime Minister has since followed with an address to the Nation on Independence Day, Monga said.
JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, hoisted national flag at Gangyal near Patrol Pump in presence of general secretary Satish Sharma and other party functionaries and workers besides locals of the area. Students also participated in the function organized there. Bhalla addressed the gathering and recalled the supreme sacrifices of the National heroes.
Indian Youth Congress leader and former PYC chief Uday Bhanu Chib, celebrated the 78th Independence Day with great fervor by leading a spectacular Tiranga Rally in Jammu. The rally, marked by the presence of a 100-meter long Tricolour, started from the J&K High Court complex and concluded at Main Chowk Janipur, Jammu.
In his address, Uday emphasized the significance of Independence Day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters. “Today, as we march with our beloved Tricolour, we honor the legacy of those who fought for our freedom and reaffirm our commitment to uphold the democratic values of our nation,” said Chib.
JKPCC vice president, Hari Singh Chib underscored the role of the Congress Party in India’s freedom struggle and its continued dedication to the nation’s progress.
Former National president of NSUI and AICC member Neeraj Kundan participated in series of programs as chief guest on the occasion of Independence Day at Bishnah.
Neeraj unfurls the National flag at RKS Girls Higher Secondary School, Bishnah. The Principle of School, JP Sharma and Ashok Dubey were also present. It was a great program and students also show various cultural and patriotic items during program.
In another program, Kundan unfurls the national flag at Bishnah town. The program was organised by Block Congress Committee president Bishnah Vijay Targotra. Other senior persons who were present on the occasion included Dwarka Choudhary, Vejinder Singh, Somnath, Roop Lal, Mehar Singh, Hukumat Raj, Satpaul Bhagat, Darshan Lal Bhagat, Romesh Chander, Sohan Singh, Balbir Kaith, Rakesh Kumar and Vivek Gupta.
Congress Seva Dal chief JKUT, Vijay Sharma hoisted National flag at party office Jammu in presence of large number of Seva Dal activists.
J&K National Conference celebrated the Independence Day with great enthusiasm and unity at the party office Jammu.
Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, former minister and additional general secretary JKNC, hoisted the national flag in presence of party functionaries. Addressing the gathering, Sadhotra threw light on the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Chander Shekhar Azad, Subash Chander Bose and many more for getting freedom from the clutches of the English rulers. He emphasized that it’s our collective responsibility to fulfill their dream of a united Indian nation where all sections of society, regardless of caste, color, or creed, coexist harmoniously
Sadhotra also hoisted tricolor at Indra Chowk Jammu, where the function was organized by District president Jammu Urban, Chander Mohan Sharma. He also hoisted tricolor at Digiana Chowk Jammu where function was organized by Mohd Aslam Central Zone secretary.
Among those who were present in the main function at party office include- Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Pardeep Bali, Ayub Malik, Bimla Luthra, Vijay Lochan, Abdul Gani Teli, Satwant Kour Dogra, Raghbir Singh Manhas, Laxami Datta, Rakesh Singh, Dilshad Malik, Harshvardhan Singh, Rashida Begum, Ashok Dogra and others.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined the Nation in celebrating the 78th Independence Day with patriotic fervour and gaiety at Kotli Shah Doula, RS Pura.
Advocate Maheshwar Singh Manhas, Provincial General Secretary Democratic Progressive Azad Party Jammu, unfurled the National Flag at Janipur Colony. He paid rich tribute to those who laid down their lives in the freedom movement of the country and recalled the Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution in freedom struggle. Sweets were also distributed among the participants. He appealed to the people to work for the unity and the integrity of the country and asked them to remain vigilant against the forces which are inimical to the interests of the nation.
Narinder Sharma PDP incharge RS Pura Jammu South constituency hoisted the National Flag and addressed the gathering on the occasion. He recalled the sacrifices of those laid down lives during freedom struggle.
He all administrative officials, employees, and departmental officials should take a pledge to work with more dedication to ensure political, economic, and judicial freedom for all citizens of India. He emphasized the significance of Independence Day as a tribute to the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom.
Apni Party celebrated Indepedence Day party headquarters in Srinagar. The event was marked by a jubilant atmosphere as party president Altaf Bukhari hoisted the tricolor amidst enthusiastic celebrations and nationalistic slogans by those who were present on the occasion.
The leaders and senior workers present there sang the national anthem and chanted patriotic slogans. After the event, Bukhari spoke to the gathering extending greetings to the people on this Independence Day.
Prominent party leaders present on the occasion included, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mohd Dilawar Mir, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, Abdul Majeed Paddar, Ashraf Mir, Muntazir Mohiuddin, Farooq Andrabi, Dilshad Shaheen, Syed Najeeb Naqvi, Haji Parvez Ahmad, Imtiyaz Paray, Mohd Shafi Mir, Javaid Mir and others.
Apni Party provincial president for Jammu, Manjit Singh hoisted National flag at Vijaypur in district Samba. A large number of party workers and locals of the area witnessed occasion. After National Anthem, sweets were distributed among the people. Singh also addressed the large gathering there.
BSP celebrated Independence Day by hoisting National Flag by State president Darshan Rana along with state executive at BSP office Satwari.
Speaking on the occasion Rana said on Independence day the country honours its heroes and looks forward to a better future. He recalled the sacrifices of the national heroes and other freedom fighters and said that country should not forget our heroes.
Janata Dal United J&K UT president GM. Shaheen unfurled the national flag to mark the Independence Day. During his address Shaheen emphasized the significance of independence and the sacrifices made by countless individuals to achieve it.
He also prayed for peace and a new beginning for Jammu and Kashmir, expressing his optimism for the region’s future.
Janata Dal Secular, JKUT unit chief Mast Nath Yogi hoisted National flag at party office Bhaderwah. National Anthem was sung by the gathering and sweets distributed on the occasion.
Rishi Kaul Kilam, National joint secretary Youth wing and spokesperson Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) hoisted the National Flag at Buta Nagar, Jammu. He also celebrated 15th August at Old Age Home Amphalla and distributed sweets among senior citizens.
Shiv Sena Hindustan J&K celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the National Flag amidst nationalist sloganeering and distribution of sweets. Sena J&K president Pt Rajesh Kesri hoisted national flag at Trewa Morh in Arnia Block.
He remembered the supreme sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Mangal Pandey, Tantya Tope, Chander Shekhar Azad, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, and other freedom fighters.
To celebrate Independence Day, the Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (BADC) organized an event at the BADC office in the border town of Mendhar.
In a simple program with a gathering of locals, Dr Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman of BADC and former Vice Chancellor, unfurled the national flag. The program was graced by the presence of prominent local people, including former Panchayat members, senior citizens, activists, media persons, and a large number of students from different colleges and schools.