Live screening at Lal Chowk witnesses large gathering, rooftops of over 100 Shikaras in Dal Lake decorated; Celebrations conclude peacefully across J&K, say top official

Srinagar, Jan 26: The 75th Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir while the authorities stated that the main venues witnessed the participation of more than 40,000 people.

Witnesses told that large queues of people were seen outside the main venues of the Republic day function in Srinagar as well as in Jammu.

Pertinently, the government had invited the people to attend the R-Day functions in Jammu & Kashmir while there was no special invitation or pass for anyone to participate in the events.

The main function in Srinagar was held at Bakshi Stadium here where the Advisor to Lt Governor, R R Bhatnagar took salute at the March Past where he unfurled the National flag.

Officials informed that nearly 25,000 to 30,000 people have participated in the main function at Bakshi Stadium today.

Notably, the Republic Day marks the adoption of India’s constitution and the country’s transition to a Republic on January 26, 1950.

In Srinagar, the commercial hub Lal Chowk witnessed enthusiasm as for the first time, the Republic Day event was hosted a live telecast of the celebrations.

A large number of people including the locals as well as the tourists were seen witnessing the celebrations live on the large screen near the newly redesigned Ganta Ghar (Clock Tower).

Furthermore, in a first of its kind, the rooftops of 120 shikaras in Dal Lake were decorated in the colours of the National Flag.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin told KNO that the rooftops of the shikaras were decorated in the colors of the National Flag. “It’s for the first time that the shikaras have been decorated on the Republic Day,” he said.

The Republic Day functions were held in all the districts across Jammu & Kashmir.

At Baramulla, the function was held at District Police Lines Baramulla where Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Baramulla, Safeena Beigh ceremoniously unfurled the National flag, inspected the Parade and took salute at the March Past. Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa; SSP Baramulla, Amod Nagpure; DDC members, Additional District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Aijaz Abdullah Saraf; Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Zahoor Ahmad Raina; Officers of Army and Police, District and sectoral officers, heads of different departments besides a huge gathering of people participated in Republic Day celebrations.

At Anantnag, the day was celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm at GDC Boys Khanabal where Chairman District Development Council Anantnag, Mohammad Yousuf Gorsi unfurled the national flag and took salute at the parade.

At Budgam, the 75th Republic Day functions were today held with much fanfare and enthusiasm across the District Budgam. The main function was held at Sports Stadium Budgam, where Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Khan unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the march-past.

At Ganderbal, the District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson Ganderbal, Nuzhat Ishfaq today unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the 75th Republic Day function being celebrated at Qamaria Stadium, Ganderbal.

At Pulwama, the 75th Republic Day celebrations at the District Police Lines in Pulwama reverberated with patriotic fervor and community spirit as distinguished guests, officials, and citizens came together to commemorate the occasion. The event, graced by the presence of DDC Chairperson, Syed Abdul Bari Andrabi as the chief guest, witnessed the unfurling of the National Flag and a stirring salute, symbolizing the District’s unwavering allegiance to the Nation.

At Kulgam, 75th Republic day was celebrated across the district with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour with the main function held at District Police Lines Kulgam. Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC) Kulgam, Mohammad Afzal Parrey who was chief guest on the occasion unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the March past presented by the contingents of CRPF, JKP, JKP ladies police group, Home guard, NCC cadets, students etc.

In Kupwara, the 75th Republic Day was celebrated today across the frontier district Kupwara with great enthusiasm and fervour. The main function was held at District Police Lines Kupwara where Chairman, District Development Council (DDC) Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took salute at march-past presented by contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, IRP, Home Guards, FPF, Special Commandos, Police Band, and school children.

At Shopian, the District Development Council (DDC), Chairperson, Shopian, Bilqees Jan unfurled the tricolor at District Police Lines, Shopian today, inspected the parade and took salute at the March-past comprised of CRPF, JK Police, IRP, Home Guards, NCC Cadets and students from different schools.

At Bandipora, to celebrate 75th Republic Day, grand functions were held across the district with the main function held at S. K Stadium Bandipora. Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Bandipora, Abdul Gani Bhat unfurled the National flag and took salute at the march past presented by contingents of CRPF, JKP, JKIRP, JK Fire and Emergency, SPOs, JK Home Gaurd, NCC besides students of various schools and JKP Band Group.

Moreover, around 10,000 people including school children attended the Republic day ceremony in Jammu at MA Stadium this morning.

The district administration had pressed-in bus service for different locations of Jammu to carry the participants and general public towards the venue without any hassle.

The program commenced at around 9.30 am with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led the celebrations and inspected the contingents of the Republic Day Parade and took the ceremonial salute followed with showering of rose petals by Indian air Force helicopters.

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) and several school contingents, Brass & Pipe Bands of Army, BSF, J&K Police, J&K Armed Police and Band Troops (Girl & Boys) of different Schools.

Tableaux by different departments on Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Aajevika se Aatmanirbharta, Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, Vimalam Gramam- Swachhata aur Vikas ka Sankalp and PM- SHRI remained the highlights of the celebrations.

The Lieutenant Governor also laid wreath at the Police Martyrs Memorial and Balidan Stambh and paid tributes to the brave martyrs of Police, Army and CAPFs.

Meanwhile, apart from government events, people of Jammu celebrated Republic Day at every nook and corner by unfurling national tricolor and taking out bike rallies.

A top official told that the Republic Day functions passed off peacefully across Jammu & Kashmir. “There was no restriction in place anywhere. The day celebrations concluded peacefully in J&K,” he said.(KNO)