Independence Day was celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm at Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Stadium, Bandipora. Thousands of people, besides senior citizens, political workers, officers of Army, police and civil administration, joined the celebrations.Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari unfurled the National Flag and took salute of the march past comprising contingents of JKP, JKAP, Fire & Emergency Police, CRPF, IRP, School children and NCC Cadets.MLA, Bandipora, Mr. Usman Majid and District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Dr Shah Faisal were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister gave the historical background of freedom movement and paid tributes to the great sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. He said best way of remembering the martyrs is that our youth should rise up and stand to work hard and wage a war against growing unemployment, adding that our independence is half way until we become economically sound.Maintaining that peace is pre-requisite for development, Molvi Ansari called upon the youth to uphold peace and tranquility in the area to achieve the better results on ground.Giving details of developmental scenario of the district, the Minister said that our Government has approved a hefty plan outlay of Rs 104 crore with health, education and rural development as priority sectors. He said Rs 20 crore have been provided under MGNREGA with a target to complete 1700 different works.
Under Education Sector, the Minister said 19 school buildings are coming up at a cost of Rs 9 crore in the district, adding that revolutionary change is being witnessed in education system and efforts are on to bring Bandipora as model district in the country.
Referring to the R&B sector, the Minister said that 9 road projects and 4 bridges with a cost of Rs 45 crore are under execution in the district while macadamization of roads is also in progress and 20 KMs have so for been black topped. He said macadamization of Bandipora –Srinagar road is also in progress and will be completed during current year.Mr. Ansari said 12 health centres, costing Rs 8 crore are coming up in the district, while one block of District Hospital shall be thrown open for public soon.The Minister also said that 50 MW power grid station, costing Rs 37 crore is nearing completion and will be commissioned very soon which will overcome power crisis in the district.Under Public Health Engineering sector, 31 water supply schemes, costing Rs 45 crore are under execution which will benefit 2 lakh souls living in 96 villages of the district.
Referring to excellent work of Youth Services & Sports department, the Minister said that during current month the district hosted state level football tournament in which 375 students from 12 districts participated. A colorful cultural variety programme was presented by the school children on the occasionLater the Minister gave away awards among those who performed better in the march-past and ID celebration.