In alignment with the nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram”, the District Administration Pulwama today commenced the second phase of year-long Vande Mataram celebrations with a grand inaugural event at Sub-Division Tral.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of the general public and was attended by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom; Senior Superintendent of Police, Awantipora, Sajad Ahmad Bhat, along with senior officers from the civil administration, police, Armed forces and paramilitary forces.
Elected representatives, including Member of Legislative Assembly Tral, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, and DDC Members, were also present on the occasion. On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner inaugurated a High-Mast National Flag and unveiled the Preamble Plaque at the Mini-Secretariat Tral.
He also administered the Viksit Bharat Pledge to the participants, reaffirming the collective commitment towards building a developed, inclusive and progressive nation. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Qayoom congratulated the people of Tral for the installation of the High-Mast National Flag and lauded the large public turnout.
He said that the installation of the flag was a long-standing public demand, reflecting the patriotic spirit of the people. He added that the High-Mast Flag would inspire citizens to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat. Highlighting the significance of the celebrations, the Deputy Commissioner said that “Vande Mataram” played a pivotal role in inspiring freedom fighters during India’s struggle for independence.
“The second phase will continue on similar lines with wider public participation,” he added, while appreciating the smooth and successful conduct of celebrations under the first phase. Dr. Qayoom further added that the Vande Mataram celebrations are being conducted in convergence with benefit and saturation camps to ensure last-mile delivery of welfare initiatives.
He said these camps also act as grievance redressal platforms, enabling citizens to access government services, scheme enrolments and relevant information under one roof. While addressing the gathering, he specifically emphasised the importance of social security and financial inclusion schemes, including PM-SYM, PM-KMY, PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY and Atal Pension Yojana, and urged eligible citizens to avail benefits under these flagship initiatives, while also directing the concerned departments to utilise the celebrations to achieve saturation under these schemes.
Additionally, a vibrant Vande Mataram Concert, was organised by the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Pulwama, which filled the atmosphere with energy and patriotic fervour through renditions of national and patriotic songs.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanying MLA Tral, inspected various departmental stalls established by departments including Revenue, Health, Industries, ICDS, Rural Development Department, Agriculture, Horticulture, Cooperatives, Handicrafts and Handloom, where various entitlements were distributed among the beneficiaries.