The 70th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, patriotic zeal and national fervor across the border district Kathua.The main function was held at District Sports Stadium where Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ch. Lal Singh hoisted the National flag and took salute at an impressive march past. Ch Lal Singh congratulated the people on the 70th Independence Day and recalled the sacrifices made by freedom fighters to secure independence for the country. He paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chander Bose, Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Rajguru, Sukhdev and scores of other unsung heroes of Indian freedom struggle.
He appealed the people to cooperate with the government to take the country to new heights of progress adding Union and State governments have initiated several social security schemes for inclusive development of all sections of the country. Earlier, the I-Day celebrations began with the playing of Shahnai Vadan by the District Information Centre.On the occasion, Chief Guest honored Machhar Dass Katal- the Commentator of Information Department for his 37 years of his valuable services. The minister also gave away prizes and trophies to the participants of March Past and cultural programmes. MLA Kathua, Rajiv Singh Jasrotia, District Development Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, SSP Neeva Jain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Bharat Bhushan, District Officers and a large number of people attended the celebration function.Independence Day was also celebrated at tehsil head quarters of the district.