Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh on Friday unfurled the national flag and took salute at an impressive march past as thousands of people thronged the premises of Government PG College (Boys) here to celebrate the 69th Republic Day of India.Over 37 contingents drawn from CRPF, SKPA, Home Guards, District Police, NCC, Flag troops, Civil Scots of different educational Institutions besides Police Band took part in the national function.While greeting the mammoth gathering, the Dy CM said that the Constitution of independent India came into existence on this day in the year 1950 which provides equal fundamental rights to every citizen of the country irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion.While extending Republic Day felicitations to the people of Udhampur, Dr Singh said “After prolonged struggle for freedom, India declared to be Republic on this day to conserve the unique feature of unity in diversity. Thus, this day symbolizes unity in diversity of our great Nation,” he asserted.The Dy CM also commemorated the sacrifices of freedom fighters including Sardar Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Chander Shekhar, Madan Lal Dingra, Ashfaq-Ullah- Khan etc who laid down their lives for the nation. He said it is the duty of every citizen especially the youth to make Jammu and Kashmir proud by maintaining peace and upholding the unity in diversity. He said Jammu and Kashmir is a microcosm of India’s unity in diversity and known for its glorious traditions of amity and tolerance.
He said this day also reminds us of countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the dignity and freedom of our motherland. “Even after Independence, many brave Indians have sacrificed their life for ensuring the sovereignty and integrity of our country,” he added. “This day also offers us an opportunity to pay them all a rich and respectful tribute”.Deputy Chief Minister also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, & Baba Sahab Ambedkar, for giving people of India a great constitution which guarantees civil liberties, Fundamental Rights and equal opportunities for all to progress.Reiterating the commitment of government for equitable development of all people and regions, he said union government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched string of schemes for taking development to new highs. He further said during the tenure of three years of present coalition government in the state, the graph of violence and militancy have started declining adding that the whole credit for this goes to the police, paramilitary forces and army as they neutralized every move of perpetrators.
He said the coalition Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, is trying its best to lead Jammu and Kashmir on the glorious path of development and prosperity. He said the government is making earnest efforts to provide basic facilities such as electricity, water, health, employment, roads etc. to all the people of the state. He assured the people that in this process of Development, Udhampur District does not lag behind from other districts and the country.He said several welfare and social security for destitute, skill and unskilled workers, artisans and farmers to enable them lead a dignified life. He said since the taking over of present government, the employment Guarantee scheme-MGNREGA has been streamlined to provide jobs to the most deserving populace create the assets to benefit maximum number of people.Talking about the education sector, the Deputy Chief Minister flagship schemes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), RMSA etc are being implemented with great success. He said this financial year 10 Primary School Buildings and 120 Additional Classrooms have been constructed to strengthen the education infrastructure in the district while the work for construction of 20 Middle Schools is in progress. He said 5 Girl Hostels having a facility of 100 beds each, have also been sanctioned for district Udhampur and are under construction.
Earlier, the Republic Day function started with Shehnai Vaadan at DC Complex and Town Hall Udhampur. The celebration was attended by MLA, Udhampur, Pawan Kumar Gupta, MLA Chenani, Dina Nath Bhagat, MLA, Ramnagar R.S Pathania Director SKPA, M.S Salari District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Ravinder Kumar, SSP Udhampur, Rayees Bhat ADDC,Arvind Sharma ADC Krishan Lal, and other Officers of various departments besides HODs & senior Officers civil, police, Air Force, CRPF and BSF.School Children presented a scintillating cultural programme featuring folk, dance and music and patriotic songs which were highly applauded by the audience.Meanwhile Republic Day was also celebrated at Ramnagar, Chennani, Majalta, Dudu-Basantgarh and in some other areas of the district.