At KATHUA,The 71st Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, patriotic zeal and fervor at Kathua.The main function was held at District Sports Stadium, where Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh hoisted the National flag and took salute at the march past comprising 46 contingents of CRPF, District Police, Police Training School, NCC boys and Girls, Forest Protection Force and tiny platoons from various Government and Private schools.The chief guest, Ch Lal Singh congratulated people on the eve of 71st Independence Day and recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices to achieve freedom from the foreign rule. The Minister said the people of all ages and communities laid down their lives and fetched hard fought Independence. He paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chander Bose, Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Rajguru, Sukhdev and scores of other unsung heroes of Indian freedom struggle.The minister also underlined the unique feat achieved by India as one of the largest democratic and secular nation in the world. He also added that the independence has been achieved after lot of hardships and sacrifices ‘so we must keep in mind that it should be preserved by remaining united against all evils.’He disclosed that the Union and State government has initiated several socio-economic security schemes viz Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY), Atal Pension Yojna (APY), Swatch Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, MUDRA, state marriage assistance scheme, Laadli Beti Yojna and Mufti Mohammed Syeed Food Entitlement Scheme etc for dignified subsistence of the people.He also listed key development projects started in the state.
“For supplementing medical infra 2 AIIMS and 5 medical colleges are coming up in the state to provide ultra modern facilities to the patients. Similarly number of modern educational institutes in the shape of colleges and universities were established to revamp the education sector. Connectivity has been enhanced manifold with the help of PMGSY and CRF” he asserted.“Children are the future of our nation, education to them should be imparted with a view to the type of society that we wish to build. We are working for a modern democracy built on the values of human dignity and equality. These are only ideals: we should make them living forces. Our vision of the future should include these great principles,” Lal Singh asserted.Reiterating the PM, Narendra Modi`s vision of building ‘New India’ by 2022 he asked every stakeholder of the society to toil hard to realize this dream and make India a world power.The Minister further added that forest department has planted 50 lakh plant saplings in J&K to restore its fragile ecology and rich habitats where wildlife can flourish in peace and there is no man-animal conflict. He also made a point that the Forest Department also provided employment to 534 professional Forest Graduates besides launching massive afforestation.He said to tap the tourism potential of the Ranjeet Sagar Dam and its scenic periphery, the government has taken landmark initiatives under which infrastructure for water sports, golf course and eco tourism will be developed in coming days.
A Colorful programmes by the Students of various schools was also presented on the occasion. A Mass Drill by the collage and school students was one of the main attractions.The Minister also gave away prizes and trophies to the participating performers.Among others, MLA, Kathua, Rajiv Jasrotia, MLA Bani Jeevan Lal, MLC Balbir Singh, District Development Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar, SSP Suleman Choudhary, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Bahrat Bhushan, District Officers, Prominent citizens and freedom fighters were present on the occasion.Independence Day was also celebrated at tehsil head quarters with patriotic zeal. At Basohli, ADC Basohli, Sanjay Gupta hoisted the national flag at Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya, Basohli and took salute from the march past.At Billawar, SDM, Rajesh Basotra unfurled the National flag at higher Secondary School Billawar and took salute from the march past. Whereas, SDM Hiranagar Sohan Lal hoisted the National flag at Tehsil office Complex and unfurled the National Flag. At Bani SDM Bani Ajeet Singh hoisted the national flag and took the salute from the march past. A cultural programme was also presented by the school children on the occasion.