BARAMULLA: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at the Professor Showkat Ali Sports Stadium as Baramulla celebrated the 80th Independence Day.
The Minister inspected the parade and took the salute from contingents of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Home Guards, Jammu and Kashmir Police Band, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and students from various educational institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Dar paid tributes to freedom fighters and martyrs and extended Independence Day greetings to the people. He said Baramulla had witnessed progress in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, women and youth empowerment, rural development, road connectivity, social welfare and self-employment.
The Minister said the government remained committed to transparent, accountable and people-centric governance, with a focus on strengthening the economy and ensuring inclusive development. He said the benefits of development should reach every section of society and contribute to improved living standards.
Various departments, including Education, Agriculture, District Youth Services and Sports, and the Municipal Council Baramulla, presented tableaux highlighting their schemes, programmes and developmental initiatives.
Students from different schools, including St Joseph’s School, Honey Pots School and Police Public School Baramulla, presented cultural performances on social themes and patriotism.
Among those present were MLAs Javid Hassan Beigh, Irshad Ahmad Kar, Reyaz Bedar, Dr Sajad Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad Shah and Irfan Hafiz Lone; Deputy Inspector General (DIG) North Kashmir Vinod Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla S.F. Hamid; Chairman District Legal Services Authority and Principal District and Sessions Judge Jawad Ahmad; Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Gurinderpal Singh; and other civil, police and Army officers.
Similar Independence Day functions were also held in Sopore, Pattan, Uri and other tehsils of the district.
