Like other parts of our country, 69th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm; patriotic zeal and national fervor at district Kathua.
The main function was held at District Sports Stadium, Kathua where Minister for Industries & Commerce Chander Parkash hoisted the National flag and took salute from mega parade comprising of contingents drawn from CRPF, District Police, Police Training School, N.C.C boys and Girls, Forest Protection Force and tiny platoons from various Government and Private schools.Addressing the gathering, Minister for Industries & Commerce Chander Parkash congratulated the people on the eve of Independence Day and recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle and for independence.
The Minister lauded the Army, Para Military forces for protecting the country. The Minister cautioned the people about communal forces who are trying to disturb communal harmony.He said the present BJP-PDP coalition has common objective of good governance and development which is imperative for overall development of three regions viz, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.He said the New Recruitment policy has been announced to fast track recruitments of youth, adding that under the new policy over 10000 new jobs will be advertised shortly besides about 4000 posts in the police department will also be advertised soon. The Minister said an Industrial Estate is coming up in Ghati, Kathua and a Biotechnology Park will also be constructed there. He said Rs 100 crore, Central Tool Room will be constructed to inculcate Skill amongst youth.
Chander Prakash said the government is committed for development of Industries in the State and impart skill to the local youth for availing employment in the industry sector. He informed that online registration process has been started by the DIC Kathua. This is the first ever online Industrial Registration in the state of J&K, he added.He said the state is going to introduce New Industrial Policy shortly with the motive to attract industrial investment, which will also open new avenues of employment for the local youth.The Minister said Central government has sanctioned separate AIIMS for both Jammu and Kashmir regions. He added that an IIT, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) is given with the motive to establish an industrial and institutional corridor from Jammu to Kathua.He said the education sector is among the priority sectors of this government and several key steps have been taken to revamp the educational system.
Earlier District Information Centre, Kathua in the wee hours played Shahnai Vadan at DC office complex and SSP office.The Minister gave away prizes and trophies to the top performers in the cultural events presented on the occasion.Independence Day was also celebrated at tehsil head quarters with patriotic zeal.At Basohli, SDM Basohli Gurmukh Singh hoisted the national flag at Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya Basohli and took salute at the march past. At Billawar, SDM, Rajinder Singh Charak unfurled the National flag at higher Secondary School, Billawar and took salute at the march past.At Hiranagar, SDM, Sohan Lal hoisted the National flag at Tehsil office Complex.At Bani the SDM Bani, Rajesh Basotra hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the march past.