The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today asked the officers to take steps for ensuring massive participation of the public in Republic Day celebrations.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a review meeting convened to discuss the arrangements for Republic Day celebrations at Jammu.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Governor, Mr P K Tripathi, ADGP Security, Mr Dilbagh Singh, Principal Secretary Transport, Mr Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary Education, Mr Shaleen Kabra, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Mr Danish Rana and Administrative Secretaries and senior officers of various concerned departments. Officers of Army, Air force and police were also present in the meeting.
Dr Singh while pitching for involvement of the public at large in the Republic Day celebrations, called for devising a comprehensive mechanism for the same. He said by doing so we would raise the sense of participation and patriotism in the hearts and minds of the people especially the younger generation. “The officers should hold regular meetings with the cross section of people, intelligentsia so that they come out in large numbers to celebrate the Republic Day,” he added.The Deputy Chief Minister also asked the officers to get in touch with the business fraternity so that they illuminate their business establishments as well as various bazaars as a mark of participation as well as celebration. “Special initiatives should also be taken in this regard and PDD should workout the necessary mechanism for the same,” he said and also appealed the people to hoist the national flag on their houses and vehicles.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the officers of the School Education Department to explore the means of dressing the participating children in the traditional attires in order to make the function more colorful and vibrant. He said they should maintain a close liaison with the participating schools and parents for ensuring the same.Dr Singh also asked the police to ensure that foolproof security mechanism is put in place in order to avoid any untoward incident. He said various agencies should synergize their efforts and also hold regular review meetings in this regard so that lacunae if any are removed.The meeting also discussed several other issues regarding the celebrations which include display of the Tableau, equipments display by the army, cultural programs, illumination of the government buildings, the sanitary arrangements, provision of mobile toilets, transport arrangements, Mangal Dhawani and Publicity of programme, seating arrangements, printing and issuance of invitation cards and drinking water facilities, lighting facilities, medical arrangements, repair and renovation of the stadium, traffic arrangements, beating retreat and other issues.