Region swathed in patriotic colours

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16

The 71st Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm across the Jammu region by educational institutions, public and private organisations and government departments.

The main function in the region was held at Mini Stadium, Parade Ground, where Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh unfurled the Tricolour. He inspected the parade and took the salute at the march-past.

During his speech, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government had started various tourism projects at Ranjit Sagar Dam, Mantalai, Sudhmahadev, Jammu and Patnitop.

In Samba, the main I-Day function was organised at Rani Suchait Singh Stadium, where Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the march-past.

Minister for Health Bali Bhagat unfurled the national flag at the Independence Day function at the sports stadium in Reasi. He inspected the parade and took the salute at the march past.

The main Independence Day function was organised at the District Sports Stadium in Kathua. Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the march-past. In Udhampur, Minister for Social Welfare Sajad Gani Lone was the chief guest at the main function. He unfurled the Tricolour on the premises of Government Degree College, Udhampur, and took the salute at the march past.

Minister of State for Transport Sunil Sharma unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute at the march-past in Kishtwar. In Ramban, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary unfurled the national flag to mark the Independence Day celebrations.

The main function in Doda was held at Sports stadium, where Minster for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs Chering Dorjay unfurled the Tricolour and inspected the guard of honour.

In Poonch, the main function was held at sports stadium, where Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the march past.

Celebrations at educational institutes

The University of Jammu celebrated Independence Day with patriotic fervour. University Vice Chancellor Prof RD Sharma unfurled the national flag at Fountain Plaza. At the National Institute of Fashion Design, students took part in various activities and sung patriotic songs. At Gandhi Memorial College of Education, Raipur Bantalab, the celebrations began with a flag-hoisting ceremony.

At the Vishwa Bharati College of Education, the I-Day function began with the hoisting of the Tricolour.

Meanwhile, the Independence Day was celebrated with zeal at various other schools. These included MHAC School, Sainik School, Nagrota, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sunjuwan, Dewan Devi Higher Secondary School, Army Public School (APS), BD Bari, APS, Rakhmuthi, APS, Jammu Cantonment, APS, Udhampur, APS, Akhnoor, Snangrilla Public School, Jammu, Sanskriti School, Green Field School, BSF School and JP World School.

The main I-Day function in Katra was held at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s Sports Complex, where Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, shrine board, hoisted the Tricolourand took the salute at a march past.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the quit India movement, a gram sabha was organised by the Block Development Officer of Bari Brahmana at the panchayat, Rajpur Kolar, Samba, on I-Day. The national flag was hoisted by the former sarpanch.

Power stations hold events

The Salal power station celebrated Independence Day at Ramlila Ground, Jyotipuram. Employees, CISF Personnel, their families, schoolchildren and locals participated in the function. Himanshu Shekhar, General Manager, Salal power station, the chief guest, hoisted the national flag.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation celebrated Independence Day at its regional office, Jammu. Executive Director S Kalgaonkar hoisted the Tricolour at the function which concluded with the distribution of sweets among the employees and children.

The Dulhasti power station celebrated the day with enthusiasm at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dulhasti, Kishtwar.

Jammu Municipal Corporation Commissioner M Raju hoisted the national flag at the corporation’s Town Hall Complex. Shree Lakshmi Narayan Samaj Sevak and People Welfare Samiti, Gandhi Nagar, hoisted the national flag at Gandhi Nagar.