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Independence Day
Rajouri, Poonch witnessing people’s participation
Born on Aug 15, patriotism comes naturally to them
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I-Day function
I-Day: Grievances fail to dampen migrants’ spirits
Kashmiri and Gujjar migrants living in miserable conditions.
Most leaders don’t know about National Flag’s adoption
Kashmiri Handicrafts
Travel to Sanasar a nightmare
Jammu youth want corruption-free, clean country
Letter
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Meritorious students to be honoured
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Udhampur, August 14 For the first time, the authorities have decided to honour meritorious students of the district on Independence Day to motivate the community. Though students from the district have proved their talent in various examinations and competitions with their counterparts in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, the situation in the rural areas is far from satisfactory. Due to their poor economic conditions, people of the rural areas are solely dependent upon government schools for the education of their children. Due to the non-availability of adequate infrastructure, including teaching staff, the output of government-run institutions is not encouraging. The results of most of the government schools were not more than 30 per cent in this year’s board examinations. Besides felicitating the meritorius students, the authorities have decided to honour some students of the rural areas during the Independence Day function in their respective areas. The students who have continued their studies and excelled in their respective fields would be honoured. Although the main function would be held in Udhampur, the authorities have planned to organise such functions in almost all government-run educational institutions throughout the district. In every function, meritorious students would be felicitated. For the last one month, officials of the education department have been preparing lists of the students who would be honoured. “We would felicitate not only meritorious students but also those who have continued their education despite unfavorable socio-economic conditions”, a senior officer of the education department told The Tribune. Deputy commissioner Ajay Khajuria said the main aim of felicitating the students during the Independence Day functions was to encourage others to work hard. He said those students who had achieved success in sports activities in national-level tournaments would also be felicitated during the main Independence Day function in Udhampur. For the first time after many years, two students of government schools have got positions in the matriculation examinations. “Along with other meritorious students we have decided to felicitate the two students of government schools who got top positions in board examinations,” chief education officer Vidhya Rattan Sharma said.
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Rajouri, Poonch witnessing people’s participation
Rajouri, August 14 During the peak of militancy, people fearing attacks preferred to stay indoor on the day.Residents of the area said during the time they used to think twice before participating in the Independence Day function due to the threat of militants.
They further said even the participation of children was symbolic with just a few participating. They added that in the changed security scenario, even the children were enthusiastic about participating in the function. “Before militancy, people in large numbers used to turn up to witness the function and children would present colourful programmes. After the advent of militancy, people fearing militant attacks did not venture out and even a majority of the children did not participate. But things have changed for the better now as people in large numbers as well as children have been turning up for the function for the past some years,” said Barkat Singh Azad, retired district education planning officer and resident of Poonch, whose granddaughter, Prabsimran Kour, and grandson, Prabkeerat Singh, studying in junior classes in Christ School, Poonch, will sing a patriotic song in this year’s function. “I have decided to take my family along to see the performance of my grandchildren. It is a special occasion for me and my family,” Azad said. “It feels great that I will be participating in the function. I am enthusiastic about it and am looking forward to sing in front of my family members and my friends. It’s a great honour,” said Prabsimran. Tazeem Dar, a social activist and resident of Rajouri, said: “During militancy, only a few people, a majority of whom were from government departments, would turn up to see the function. But during the last few years, the number of people coming to witness the function is increasing every year. I am also planning to cancel all my assignments on the day and would attend the function at the police line grounds here,”. Vibodh Gupta, a citizen of Rajouri and senior BJP leader, said: “People of the twin border districts are nationalists to the core and have always thwarted the evil designs of militants. That is why militancy never thrived in this part of the state”. “They are exhibiting nationalism by coming in large numbers to witness the function. Besides attending the function, which is held in the police line grounds here, we also hoist the National Flag in the old city and distribute sweets”. A senior police officer said: “Security forces have managed to bring in a sense of security among the people that is why they are participating in large numbers”.
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Born on Aug 15, patriotism comes naturally to them
Jammu, August 14 The Tribune, on the eve of Independence Day, located a few such privileged persons and spoke to them to know their views. In their opinion, they cannot disassociate the nation from themselves. National growth is their development as they explore their destiny in the prosperity of the entire country. In this oneness, they feel the pain of the entire nation in the hours of crisis and rejoice with the emerging India achieving new feats in the fields of science, technology, sports or any other sphere of competition with the rest of the world. In their twenties, this section of youth is full of zeal and dedication and committed to the cause of nation- building. Independence Day keeps on reminding them that there is something common between them and their country. “It is a coincidence that I have a national celebration on my birthday,” said Chander Bhagat of Doda over telephone from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Delhi, adding, “It is a great day for me and my nation. So, I want to excel in my life keeping in view that with me, my nation will progress”. “It’s great for all those who were born on this auspicious day. It remains in our mind that we should try to maintain and enhance the dignity of our nation,” he said. “This day is celebrated all across the country with patriotic fervour. So patriotism is natural to me. As I was born on Independence Day, I will serve and do good to my fellow countrymen. God has aptly dated my birthday,” said a college student, Kapil Gupta of Nai Basti. “It’s a holiday on Independence Day and I celebrate the occasion with my family,” said a businessman at Jewel Chowk, Sanjay Verma, adding, “My children are more enthusiastic over my birthday because of Independence Day on the same day. They feel a sense of pride in telling their friends that their father was born on a day of national importance”.
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City schools to participate in a big way
Sunaina Kaul Tribune New Service
Jammu, August 14 Sharma mentioned that last year, not even a single government department came forward to sponsor the function. “This year, we are celebrating Independence Day with the combined efforts of the education department and the sport department”. As many as 21 schools are participating in the function, which comprise 15 government and six private institutions. Around 621 students would present a marchpast and four contingents, comprising 240 students, would present a parade. Besides, around 500 students of three government and one private school would present four cultural programmes reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the state. Others who are participating in the function include the CRPF, the J&K Armed Police, the police, the ladies armed police, the auxiliary police (IInd battalion), the fire and emergency services, the forest protection forces, the civil defence, NCC cadets and the state police band. While students of Mubarak Mandi Government Girls Higher Secondary School would present a cultural item, “Guldasta”, students of Government Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, would perform a Rajasthani folk dance. Students of Girls Higher Secondary School, Rehari, would give a performance on Dogri folk dance and students of the Environmental Education Institute, Jullakha Mohalla, would present “Paknam”. The function would be held at the Parade Ground where Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand would hoist the National Flag.
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AIR to stimulate spirit of nationalism
Jammu, August 14 “It is a rare honour to play patriotic songs that really stimulate the spirit of nationalism. In fact, radio has been doing it everyday on the request of security forces posted in the hill and remote areas of this militancy-hit state,” says Marhatta, at present working with AIR, Kathua. The duo, however, said: “Playing patriotic songs on August 15 has a special relevance as the rhythmic sound acts like an aroma to spread the fragrance of nationalism”. Although patriotism and Indian music have blended together in countless melodies, “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon” is one such song that has everytime proved to be a morale booster for both civilians as well as men in uniform. The song, rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, was a tribute to honour the sacrifices of the jawans who lost their lives during the 1962 war with China. Unfortunately, there are a few CDs of patriotic songs available in the markets of Jammu and Kashmir. The AIR, however, takes the credit for having a variety of such high-spirited songs that have proved to be a strong weapon to combat the enemy in this border state. “I have already received hundreds of requests to play poet Pradeep’s ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ and ‘Aye Mere Pyare Watan’, said Marhatta. His colleague, Sunita, posted at Jammu, believes that patriotic songs spread the sense of equality and belonging and have always been a craze among the older generation. She, however, regretted that over the years, there had been a tendency amongst the new generation as well as a section of the electronic media to ignore patriotic songs, as such numbers were devoid of vulgarity and did not raise the TRP ratings. “But then, we have a big chunk of chronic listeners who have consistently requested us to play all those patriotic songs featuring in Bollywood hits like ‘Fana’, ‘Swadesh’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Dus’,” Sunita said. |
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I-Day: Grievances fail to dampen migrants’ spirits
Jammu, August 14 As many as 1,000 families of Doda migrants and 8,000 Gujjar families, who were displaced from the hill region of the valley during the Kargil War, would celebrate the day by arranging a get-together. Dara Kumar, a Doda migrant, said: “We all refugees get together and hoist the National Flag. Children sing the National Anthem. We elders, too, follow them. Some kids give song and dance performances”. Like Dara, Abdul Rashid, president of the Gujjar Coordination Committee, said they would celebrate the day like other citizens of the country. Stuck between the promises of employment and rehabilitation to the valley for the past 19 years, Kashmiri Pandits do not negate the importance of Independence Day and participate in official functions on the day. Ajay Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, said: “We feel proud to be an Indian. We celebrate Independence Day with full gusto. Our grievances do not come in the way of celebrating this day”. He hoped that on the eve of this Independence Day, the government would show sincerity in implementing the employment package as promised in the budget without putting ‘return to Kashmir” as a condition. As many as 6,000 Sikh refugee families, which are scattered all over Jammu, too, celebrate the day. Sardar Prem Singh, former president of a Sikh refugees’ association, said: “We take our kids and other members of the family to the flag-hoisting ceremony and watch the parade with excitement”. Singh, too, thinks that the government will allot them proper land or money as promised so that they can live with dignity in their own land. Over 1 lakh West Pakistani refugees of 1947 have been marking this day all these years by wearing black clothes with chains tied around their hands. Labha Ram, president of this organisation, said the day would be taken as another routine day. “We came in 1947 from Pakistan. We can vote in parliamentary elections, but not in the state Assembly elections. We don’t have legal rights as state subjects”. Rajiv Chunni, representative of the PoK refugees, gets upset in the name of celebrating Independence Day. He said: “The government never gave us an equal treatment in comparison to some other migrants. So, we don’t celebrate this day at all. We express our anger by not participating in any function on the day”. |
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Most leaders don’t know about National Flag’s adoption What is our National Song and National Anthem and who are their authors? When was the National Flag adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India and what is the significance of three colours of the flag? TNS asked a few leaders. This is what they said: The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana” and the National Song is “Vande Mataram”. The three colours of our National Flag indicate different meanings. Saffron colour indicates sacrifice, white indicates brotherhood and green prosperity. I am on my way from Srinagar to Jammu and I will answer the other questions after reaching Jammu. — Ashok Khajuria, state president of the BJP The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”. I do not know who wrote it. The National Song is “Sare jahaan se accha”. It was written by BC Chatterji. The flag was adopted in 1950. I do not know what exactly the three colours signify. — Rakesh Kak, state secretary, Shiv Sena The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”, and it was written by Rabindranath Tagore. The National Song, “Vande Mataram”, was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. The National Flag was adopted in 1993. Actually, there are four colours in our flag. One is saffron that indicates sacrifice, second is white which indicates peace and truth, third is green which depicts prosperity, and the fourth is the wheel, it has its own colour. — Ramakant Dubey, state president, Vishva Hindu Parishad The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”, and it was written by Rabindranath Tagore. Our National Song is “Vande Mataram”. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. The flag was adopted in 1950. All three colours have different meanings. Saffron indicates sacrifice, white indicates peace and green indicates prosperity. — Leela Karan Sharma, senior BJP leader The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore. The National Song is “Sare jahaan se accha”. The flag was adopted in 1952. Saffron colour indicates sacrifice, white indicates peace and green indicates prosperity. — Gulchain Singh Charak, senior Congress leader Later, Chark called the reporter and said he was busy in a meeting in Delhi and would like to change all his answers. He said: The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore. The National Song is “Vande Mataram” and was written by BC Chatterji. The flag was adopted on July 22, 1947, and the answer to the last question is same as it was earlier.
On January 26, 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted the National Flag. Saffron colour signifies sacrifice, white signifies peace and green colour signifies prosperity. — Prof Hari Om, senior Congress leader Later, Prof Hari Om also called up and said the National Anthem, “Jana gana mana”, was written by Rabindranath Tagore and the National Song, “Vande Mantram”, was written by BC Chatterji. On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the National Flag. Correct answers
The National Anthem is “Jana gana mana”. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore. The National Song is “Vande Mataram” and it was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the National Flag. In the National Flag, the saffron colour indicates strength and courage, the white colour indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra, and the green colour indicates fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. |
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Global meet benefits Srinagar exporters Afsana Rashid
Srinagar, August 14 Many stall owners expressed satisfaction over the meet and demanded it to be an annual feature. It has benefited a number of exporters. Feroz Sons, an export company, is one among them. “We got an order from Germany for silk carpets,” said Sheikh Ashiq, one of the directors of the company. “Our customers are our ambassadors and they would carry the message of peace to their people, thus benefiting the handicrafts and the tourism sectors,” said Ashiq, adding that silk carpets had a good market in Europe and America. “At a time when carpet weaver has lost the hope in view of global meltdown, the meet came as a relief”. He said weaving had to be improved. “We can make more designs, but it depends on the demand. The government isn’t providing the required facilities. It has promised a package for the handicrafts sector, but nothing has been done so far,” said the exporter. Another stall owner, Javaid Ahmad Kawoosa said he too did good business during the meet. “We are not aware of how to export. Such programmes help,” said Javed, co-owner of Kawoosa Arts and Crafts. He received customers from Beirut, Italy and America. Ahsan Mirza, a leading carpet exporter, said the meet served dual purpose; it gave exposure to locals as buyers came from world over, and encouraged artisans to sell their products in their homeland. “Such initiatives were missing for the past 20 years. A beginning has been made and it should be a regular feature,” says Ahsan, owner of Mirza Carpets. He said, “Such meets provide an opportunity for artisans, exhibitors, exporters and customers to come together. Gone are the days when weaver was considered a slave.” Mirza said no child labour should be involved in carpet weaving. “Though we are introducing some modern techniques, the weaver should be aware of the atmosphere he is working in”. He said computer designing and colour combination was good for carpet weaving. “Recession has definitely affected us. We are seeing some reversal in the trend over the past two months. Next two months are crucial”. One of the stall owners said only leading exporters got benefited from such meets. “These meets should be exclusively for newcomers. Since leading exporters already have contacts, they make good use of such meets,” he said, adding that such meets should be held thrice a year. Eva, a customer from Australia, said she was excited to see Kashmiri handicrafts. “I intend to purchase silk carpets and other handmade articles.” Expressing satisfaction over the meet, Nazir Ahmad Dar, senior vice-president, KCCI said, “Customers came from Japan, Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Dubai and Palestine. Kashmiri handicrafts are liked world over as they are of finest quality”.
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Travel to Sanasar a nightmare
Sanasar, August 14 The Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) charges Rs 25 each from light-motor vehicles at the barrier before they are allowed entry to
Sanasar. However, after coughing up the entry fee, the tourists undergo a nightmarish experience on the dilapidated road before reaching
Sanasar, a place having a dying lake and poorly maintained meadows. Despite being the mainstay of the state economy, tourism and its related infrastructure remains a casualty here. Though the state government had carved out a separate tourism directorate for the Jammu region to promote and develop destinations in the region, Sanasar reflects a grim picture of the official neglect. “Ironically, it appeared that the state government has turned a blind eye to this easily accessible tourist resort,” said Manish
Aggarwal, a tourist from Kanpur. “Bad roads and missing amenities robbed us of enjoyment,” he
said. Sanasar has all ingredients of becoming a paradise, but due to the official apathy it remains neglected. “Just a few drops of rain have converted this small parking lot here into a slushy ground and people are facing hardships,” added
Aggarwal, who was on his way to Srinagar. Apart from the bad road, Sanasar has been undergoing environmental degradation where a natural lake now emanates stink with wild grass and weeds occupying almost the entire lake. “Once tourists used to enjoy boating in this lake, which over the years has shrunk considerably because of the official neglect,” recollects Ghulam Mohammed, a man who offers horse rides to visitors in the lush green meadows here. Leave aside the bad road and the shrinking lake, the PDA has not initiated strict enforcement of ban on the use of polythene. Plastic bottles and tumblers could be seen littered at several places at
Sanasar. However, the PDA had done the cosmetic exercise with a few of its hoardings peeping out at a few places reading, “Use of polythene and plastic is totally banned”. Regrettably, despite being located close to Jammu, a large number of tourists avoid visiting Sanasar because of the bad road. The PDA, which charges entry fee from every vehicle entering
Sanasar, had miserably failed to maintain the road, rued Sanchita, another tourist from
Indore. Approximately, the 20-km-long single-road stretch, which besides being used by light-motor vehicles also braves buses, has developed cracks, potholes and a major portion appears to have not been blacktopped since years , she said. |
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Jammu youth want corruption-free, clean country
Jammu, August 14 “We should become self-reliant. Our foreign policy needs to be strengthened. The power crisis is the biggest challenge for the country,” said Vijay Singh, a researcher in political science, and added, “Beyond development, we should seriously think about internal security and environment”. “The Kargil War and the Mumbai terror attacks have raised the spirit of patriotism in us. We now feel that our country needs us and together we can face any difficult situation,” said Vishal Kapoor, a student. “Given the fact that independence was achieved after paying a hard price, the day demands the union of our minds to think as to how could the country be made prosperous,” said Ravi Rajan, a government employee. However, a middle-aged couple expressed concern over the political situation in the country. “There is a strong need for bringing deserving and capable people to the fore,” they advocated. “Our national policies are worn out and hold little to offer to the public at large,” rued Ashok Kumar, an unemployed postgraduate, adding, “Power cuts are still there despite huge water resources”. Sanjay Suri, a private bank employee, said: “From traffic to water pipelines and drainage system, everything is choked in India. Most of the government employees are corrupt. There are poor customer services, poor quality of products, poor communication network, poor workmanship, laws, and policies”. “We are in a deep leadership crisis as regionalism is fast gaining momentum. It’s high time people start worrying about the way things are going on in the country,” he said. |
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Independence Day pledge
We welcome the 62 years of India’s Independence and people must congratulate each other on this proud day. But congratulations and celebrations cannot yield anything, neither for the country nor for its people. In these past 62 years, we overcame many problems, but even today many of them are part of our day-to-day life. Unless we pledge to remove all of them from our society, we cannot dream of an independent India in its true sense. From corruption to untouchability, communalism to nepotism, population growth to poverty and crime to terrorism, we have to commit not to anyone else but to ourselves that from this I-Day, we shall try to remove at least one of the above hurdles to make India a proud nation. Japan had even faced atom bombs, but the pledge of its people helped the country to stand again firmly. Similarly, if all Indians contribute honestly in their own way then no world power can restrain us from emerging as a global leader. Raman Sharma, Jammu
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Jammu, August 14
Jammu, August 14
