“It is our duty to remember and give honor to the martyrs besides carrying forward their mission and boosting spirit of nationalism among the people” said Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing at a function organized in connection with commemoration of 15th Shaheedi Diwas here today to pay homage to the martyrs of district Kathua.The Annual Shaheedi Diwas is being organized every year to commemorate the sacrifices made by the martyrs while serving in police, army and paramilitary forces. A big floral tribute was paid to martyrs at Shaheedi Smark at Shaheedi Chowk where Ghulam Nabi Azad along with Ministers, Member Parliament, MLCs and other dignitaries laid wreaths. Ghulam Nabi Azad and other dignitaries extended their sympathies with the families of the martyrs present on the occasion.Union Minister said that Government of India is extending liberal funding to the state of Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen the health, education and R&B infrastructure primary needs of development. He said that Union Health Ministry has launched several health schemes especially for women and new born child. He appealed the Panches, Sarpanchs and elected representatives to create awareness about health and family welfare schemes like Janani and Jacha Bacha scheme to avail free medicare facilities for neo natal, new born and pregnant women during pre and post pregnancy period.
Azad announced that Union Health Ministry has given nod to provide 45 crore each for Jammu and Srinagar Cancer Institutes in view of steep rise in cancer cases in the state. He said the ministry has formulated a scheme to provide free medical checkups twice a year for every child upto 18 years of age in which all the expenditure on treatment will be incurred by Union Health Ministry. He said that mobile medical facilities will be provided to the nomads of the state very shortly.Member Parliament, Ch Lal Singh while speaking on the occasion said that the 15th Shaheedi Diwas is an effort to remember the martyrs who laid down their lives for unity and integrity of the state and country and to promote the spirit of patriotism among the masses.Minister of State for Cooperative, Fisheries, Finance and Planning, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma while speaking on the occasion said that every citizen owned a duty to give honour and respect to those families who lost their loved ones during their duties for the country.MLC Subash Gupta also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role and contribution of martyrs.During the function blankets were given to the 107 families of martyrs. MoS, Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan, MLA Badherwah, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Chairman, Kargil Hill Dev Council, Asgar Ali Karbalai, Panchs & Sarpanchs and large number of people were present on the occasion.