At Shopian, Republic Day celebration was held at District Police Lines Shopian with great enthusiasm and fervour in a patriotic atmosphere. Javaid Mustafa Mir, Minister for Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and Floriculture hoisted the national flag and inspected the parade.Later, he took the salute of the march past which comprised of contingents of CRPF, JKP, JKAP, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest Protection Force, volunteers of Home Guard and students of different schools.Addressing the function, Javaid Mustafa Mir said that Republic Day is the most significant day in the history of India as on this day in 1950 the country adopted the world largest written constitution. He further added that after attaining freedom and adoption of the constitution, the country made strides in various sectors particularly education, science, agriculture, health, power and other fields. He also said that India has the largest democracy in the world where everyone enjoys fundamental rights and every citizen has been conferred with equal rights irrespective of caste, colour and creed.
The Minister said that the present collation government under the aegis of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is doing its best for all-round development of the State particularly for the upliftment of backward and downtrodden sections. A number of schemes and programmes have been launched for their betterment and welfare, he added. He informed that the Government is planning to construct a tunnel on Mughal road tunnel from Zaznar to Chhatapani. He added that the proposed tunnel will shorten the distance by 20 kilometres.The function concluded with distribution of prizes by the chief guest among the parade contingents and students who secured the first and second position in their performance. Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner, senior officers of civil and police administration, senior citizens of the district and students were present on the occasion, besides a huge gathering of the public.