Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the National Flag at the Union Territory level function on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day, here at Maulana Azad Stadium this morning.
The Lt Governor inspected the parade and took the ceremonial salute.
The Republic Day parade consisted of smart contingents from Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, IRP (Women & Male), J&K Police, JKAP, UT Disaster Response Force, J&K Fire, and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, Excise Department, Ex-Servicemen, NCC Boys and Girls, Bharat Scouts and Guides (Girls & Boys), besides several school contingents, Brass & Pipe Bands of Army, BSF, J&K Police, J&K Armed Police.
The colourful celebrations of the Republic Day filled with patriotic fervor and celebratory mood was aptly reflected by a host of impressive cultural items presented by various schools and departments on the occasion, an official spokesman said.
The J&K Police displayed the Motorcycle Acrobatics, besides cultural pageantry based on the different themes were the main attractions of the programme. Scores of students from various schools presenting a cultural spectacle based on national integration and the glorious composite heritage of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir marked the day, said the spokesman.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor laid wreath at Police Martyrs Memorial &BalidanStambh and paid homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of our country, the spokesman said.
“Valor of the Jawans and officers of JKP, Army and other Central Security Forces and their unparalleled courage is an inspiration for all. The nation will always remain indebted to their sacrifices. We all must take a pledge to eradicate terrorism and terror ecosystem perpetuated by the neighboring country”, said the Lt Governor.
Among those who witnessed the Republic Day celebrations were Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court; Advisor to the Lt Governor; Judges of the J&K High Court; Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation; Member of Parliament; Chief Secretary; DGP; elected representatives of ULBs and PRIs; former Legislators; senior Civil, Police and Army officers; political and social activists; prominent citizens, media persons and the citizenry.
Meanwhile, LG slammed those inciting the people by spreading ”rumours” about “imaginary issues” like demographic changes in the union territory and said land reservation has been done on the pattern of mountainous states.
Addressing the Republic Day function here, the Lt Governor said that peace in Jammu and Kashmir is a prerequisite for a vibrant tourism sector, which of late has set new employment and revenue generation records, and urged all to take the pledge of eradicating terrorism and terror ecosystem perpetuated by the neighbouring country.
“Some people are inciting public by spreading rumours about demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is a section in the society which has always been misleading the people about imaginary issues like demographic change, and on this pretext, the most hardworking and needy class of people had been alienated in their own land and were deprived of using it as per their wishes or requirements,” Sinha said.
The Lt Governor said that the government is committed to building a strong Jammu and Kashmir and will continue to march ahead with Mantra of “4 P’s — Peace, Progress, Prosperity and People first”.
“We are determined to ensure every single citizen of UT enjoys a prosperous and peaceful life,” he said.
Sinha asserted that land reservation has been done in the Union territory on the pattern of the mountainous states.
“I assure the land owners and farmers that all these changes have been effected with the sole aim of empowering them,” he said.
Several parties in J&K, including the NC and PDP, have been raising these issues.
The Lt Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to promoting local businesses in the real estate sector.
He observed that the “central government under the strong and able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the bold and decisive step of breaking the shackles erected in the path of development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“After the historic transformative changes in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become the latest success story among Indian states and a model of Socio-Economic development for the country.”
The Lt Governor highlighted the co-existence of various religions enriching and diversifying Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage and making the UT an example of immortal organic composite Indian culture.
