69th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervor and zeal at Samba.The main function was held at Arazi stadium Samba, where Minister of State for Information, Education and Culture, Ms.Priya Sethi, unfurled the tricolor and took salute at the march past from the contingents of JKP, ITBP, Ex-Servicemen, NCC and students from various schools.Ms. Priya Sethi greeted the people on the eve of Independence Day and threw light on the initiatives of the government for development of the state. She highlighted the new recruitment policy adopted for fast tracking the recruitment process. She said about Rs 400 crore have been earmarked for state roads and ration allotment under PDS system shall be as per 2011 census.
She said that Vijaypur emergency hospital shall be upgraded and work on emergency hospital Ghagwal shall be completed soon. She said Rs 521 lakh have been earmarked under BADP for Samba District. The upgradation of schools to model schools is also being done and evening classes and smart classes are also being started, she added.The Minister called on public to avail benefits of Central government schemes like Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and other such schemes to assure the individual of a basic minimum income for himself and his dependents and to protect the individual from any uncertainties. She appealed all to make Swatch Bharat Mission a success.
Later the Minister gave prizes and trophies to the performers and participants. Prizes to Parade Commander, belt forces troops, school march past troops were presented by MLAs Dr Manyal and Kuldeep Raj. DDC Samba gave prizes to meritorious students and best student players.SSP Samba presented gallantry awards to ex-servicemen for displaying conspicuous gallantry, courage and devotion to duty of very high order. Various educational institutions presented scintillating cultural programme based on patriotism and national integration. Similar functions were organized at Samba, Vijaypur, Purmandal, Ghagwal and other parts of the district.