The 68th Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at Kathua. The main function was held at Sports Stadium, Kathua.Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh unfurled the National Flag and took salute at march past comprising contingents from Police, CRPF, Forest Protection Force, Police Training School, Kathua, NCC and students from various government/private schools besides pipers.Felicitating the people on 68th Republic Day, Lal Singh said the Republic Day is a national festival, which is celebrated on 26th January every year. “It is a matter of pride and honor to celebrate this day,” he said and added that the day has immense importance as India is officially known as “Republic of India”.“India is a country where the elected representatives of the people govern the country. We have the right to vote, the power to choose our government and we are proud of our fundamentals rights,” he said and paid tributes to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives for attaining freedom for the country.The minister said India is the biggest democracy of the world and brotherhood, communal harmony and tolerance are its key attributes. He said the past generations have maintained the ethos and democratic values and now it’s our responsibility to carry on with this legacy. He said India is emerging power having fast growing economy which is now making its mark in space and other fields of science.
He said Jammu & Kashmir is on the path of development and people of the state have witnessed lot of sufferings in the past.Kathua district which have diverse topography have many developmental constraints due to its hilly and far off reach, Lal Singh added. He said the several key development projects are in offing whereas the connectivity scenario of the district has been improved within short span of time.He said the Basohli Cable Stay Bridge connecting J&K with Punjab and Himachal will improve the connectivity and tourism potential of the area will be further explored. He further said with the completion of Keerian Gandyal and Juthana bridges interstate connectivity will also improve.Referring to the developmental schemes undertaken in the district, the minister informed that 61 schemes under PMGSY worth Rs 402 crore were sanctioned. He said the district has vigorously worked on the schemes for women empowerment under which Laadli Beti scheme was seriously taken up to improve the sex ratio in the district.While throwing light on works taken up, Lal Singh said that MGNREGA, smart class rooms, employment avenues, tourism etc are key sectors where the district has laid stress to foster the development pace.
He also said that as a responsible citizen every stakeholder shall contribute in the developmental drive, added that menace like poverty, violence, crime, terrorism, corruption, rape etc shall be dealt with iron hand to make the society worth living.Among others MLA Kathua Rajeev Jasrotia, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua Pawan Parihar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr Bharat Bhushan, District Officers, prominent citizens and large number of people and students were present on the occasion.Impressive cultural items depicting patriotic themes were also presented by students of various institutions.Lal Singh also presented trophies; certificates to the best performers were also present on the occasion.
Republic Day celebrations were also held at Tehsil Headquarters throughout the district.At Billawar, SDM Rajesh Basotra hoisted the tricolor and took salute at government higher secondary school Billawar.At Hiranagar SDM Sohan Lal unfurled the national flag at Mini Stadium, Hiranagar and took salute at the march past. Colorful cultural programme and skits on patriotic theme were presented on the occasion by the school children. Legislator Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj was also present on the occasion.At Bani, SDM, Ajeet Singh hoisted the National flag at Tehsil level function at Government HSS, Bani and took salute from the march-past. Colorful cultural programme was also presented by school and college students on the occasion.At Basohli, SDM Dhirendra Sharma unfurled the National tricolor and took salute in the premises of Jawahar Navodhya Vidayalaya Basohli. Colorful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion by the school children.At Nagri Parole, BDO Suninder Jeet Kaur hoisted the National flag at Tehsil level function at Government HSS, Nagri Parole and took salute from the march-past. Colorful cultural programme was also presented by school and college students on the occasion.