KISHTWAR: In a deeply emotional and patriotic ceremony held on the occasion of Shaheedi Diwas, a 70-foot-long National Flag was unveiled at Hidyal Chowk in Kishtwar on Sunday.
The event witnessed overwhelming participation from people belonging to every section of society, including school students, prominent citizens, youth and local residents from different parts of the district.
The atmosphere at Hidyal Chowk resonated with patriotic fervour as people gathered to pay tribute to the victims of terrorism and honour the sacrifices made for the nation.
In an emotional moment during the ceremony, the National Flag was hoisted by members of martyr families whose loved ones were killed in targeted killings, massacres and terrorist attacks carried out in the region over the past decades.
The ceremony served as a tribute to innocent victims who laid down their lives while upholding the spirit of nationalism and unity.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar said the Tricolour unveiled at Hidyal Chowk had been dedicated to all those brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the nation and to the families who endured the pain of terrorism with courage and dignity.
She said Shaheedi Diwas was not merely a day of remembrance but a symbol of collective resolve against terrorism and divisive forces.
Referring to the painful history of the region, she said May 10 carries deep emotional significance for the people of Kishtwar, as the first targeted killing in the area took place in 1993 with the murder of Satish Bhandari, after which several innocent civilians became victims of terrorism and communal violence.
She further said terrorists attempted to spread fear by targeting innocent people, carrying out selective killings and attacking families on the basis of identity and belief, but the people of the region never allowed the spirit of nationalism to bow before terror.
Speaking emotionally during the programme, Shagun Parihar said, “Being a daughter of a martyr family, I can deeply understand the pain carried by those families who lost their loved ones to terrorism. This pain cannot be expressed in words, but the courage and sacrifices of such families will forever remain a source of inspiration for society and the nation.”
Paying rich tributes to the victims of terrorism, she said the Tricolour standing tall at Hidyal Chowk represents the victory of patriotism, courage and national unity over fear and terrorism.
She asserted that no anti-national force can weaken the unity and integrity of India and that the National Flag would continue to inspire generations with the message of sacrifice and nationalism.
The Tricolour unveiling ceremony took place in the presence of Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma, social activist Dr. Vikrant, Sanatan Dharam Sabha members Roshan Lal Sen and Arvind Parihar, DGPC President Sardar Attar Singh, Minority Morcha District President Mansoor Matoo, BJP District President Kishtwar Ravi Parihar and several other prominent citizens.
