The Republic Day celebrations were held today across the Jammu division amid elaborate security arrangements.
Impressive celebrations featured march-past by the contingents, band performances and scintillating cultural programmes highlighting national unity and regional diversity.
The celebrations were held smoothly across the Jammu region, reflecting the seamless preparedness of the respective administrations.
AT DODA: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with great zeal, enthusiasm and patriotic spirit at the Sports Stadium.
Chairman District Development Council (DDC), Dhananter Singh Kotwal, the chief guest, unfurled the National Flag amid a melodious recitation of the National Anthem by students. A large gathering witnessed the grand celebrations.
The Chief Guest inspected the parade and took the salute of the march past presented by contingents of CRPF, SSB, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu and Kashmir First Women Battalion, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC Senior and Junior Divisions, Government Degree College, Government Higher Secondary School Boys and students from various government and private schools. The impressive parade showcased discipline, dedication and collective commitment to the nation.
The event was attended by Vice Chairperson DDC, Sangeeta Rani; Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh; SSP, Sandeep Kumar Mehta; ADC, Anil Kumar Thakur; CPO, Manesh Kumar Manhas, district officers, representatives of various political parties and several distinguished dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Dhananter Singh Kotwal extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day. He paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation and also remembered the army personnel who lost their lives in an unfortunate accident in Bhaderwah.
Highlighting India’s remarkable progress, he said the country has achieved significant growth across all sectors and is moving steadily towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. He appreciated the Government’s efforts in strengthening road connectivity, noting that nearly 90 percent of villages have now been connected and highlighted major road projects inaugurated recently. He also lauded improvements in education and healthcare infrastructure, successful implementation of HADP and JKCIP initiatives across panchayats, promotion of tourism through events like winter festivals and river rafting and ongoing campaigns such as Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and environmental conservation drives. He also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the District Administration under the DC Doda and emphasized the constructive role of the media in nation-building.
The celebrations were further enriched by vibrant cultural performances presented by students of various government and private schools, Police Public School Doda and artists associated with Kala Utsav and the Education Department.
The programme began with the soulful rendition of Vande Mataram to mark its 150 glorious years, followed by patriotic songs, skits and colourful folk performances in Gojri, Dogri, Seraji, Bhaderwahi and Kashmiri, highlighting the district’s rich cultural heritage. The event concluded with the distribution of mementos to participating schools, officers and officials in recognition of their outstanding performances and contributions.
AT BHADERWAH: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated at Bhaderwah with great enthusiasm and patriotic spirit at the New Bus Stand.
The function was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bhaderwah, Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, who unfurled the National Tricolour and took the salute during an impressive march past. The march past was presented by contingents of J&K Armed Police, NCC Senior Division Government Degree College (GDC) Bhaderwah, NCC Junior Division (Boys and Girls) Higher Secondary School Bhaderwah, along with students from various government and private schools.
The programme was attended by ASP Bhaderwah, CEO BDA, DFO Bhaderwah, Tehsildar Bhaderwah, BMO Bhaderwah, EO MCB, Naib Tehsildar Bhaderwah, senior citizens and various officers and officials from all sub-divisions.
AT UDHAMPUR: District Development Council Chairperson, Udhampur, Lal Chand, today unfurled the National flag at Government PG Degree College Boys, Udhampur and took the salute at an impressive march-past comprising 31 contingents drawn from District Police, SKPA, Volunteer Home Guards, NCC and Police Band.
DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Sarah Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai, SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure, ADDC Jugal Kishore, DDC members, ADC Prem Singh, besides senior officers from the District Administration, Police, Army, BSF, CRPF, Air Force and prominent citizens of the district were present on the occasion.
While addressing the mammoth gathering, the DDC Chairperson said that the Constitution of independent India was implemented on 26 January 1950, providing fundamental rights to every citizen.
He said Republic Day is a momentous occasion to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution and to remember the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters who secured independence for the nation.
He added that Republic Day is not merely a festival but a celebration of India’s democratic traditions and national values. On 26 January 1950, India adopted its Constitution, establishing the country as sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic. Justice, equality and freedom, he said and added that these are not merely words but the soul of India.
Highlighting developmental initiatives in the district, the Chairperson said that under the visionary leadership of Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and the present Central Government and J&K Administration, Jammu and Kashmir is steadily progressing on the path of development and prosperity with the spirit of “One Nation, One Vision, One Identity”. Udhampur district, he said, is emerging as a leading example of growth with several major projects completed and new initiatives underway.
He termed the NH-244 Chenani–Sudh Mahadev project as a historic achievement for the district, with nearly 94 percent work completed. The project, he said, will boost religious tourism and also provide a secure alternate access route to the Kashmir Valley.
In rural connectivity, he informed that under PMGSY, over 3,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed connecting 358 habitations.
On healthcare, he said the Government Medical College Udhampur is a major milestone, with 300 MBBS students studying in three batches.
Referring to agriculture, the Chairperson DDC said that under PM-KISAN, over 54,000 farmers have received assistance of more than Rs.229 crore, while over 41,000 farmers have been provided Kisan Credit Cards.
Under Mission YUVA, he said more than 2,200 applications have been received, over 1,500 cases approved.
The DDC Chairperson appreciated the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai for accelerating development and commended the Indian Army, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, paramilitary forces and District Police Udhampur for their unwavering service.
A scintillating cultural programme showcasing patriotism, rich heritage and theme-based skits was presented by students and artists, enthralling the audience.
At Ramnagar, the Republic Day function was held at Government Model Higher Secondary School, where SDM Ramnagar unfurled the Tricolour.
Similarly, Republic Day functions were organised at Tehsil, Sub-Divisional and Niabat levels across District Udhampur with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour.
AT RAMBAN: Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC), Dr. Shamshad Shan unfurled the Tricolor at the District Police Lines.
The Chairperson inspected the parade comprising 23 contingents of J&K Police, CRPF, IRP, Forest Protection Force, Home Guards, NCC and students from local schools and took the salute.
The event was attended by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, DIG DKR Range Shridhar Patil; Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, SSP Ramban Arun Gupta, SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hameed, ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, Commandant CRPF N. Ranveer Singh, DDC Councillors, senior officers of the civil administration and police, prominent citizens, locals and students from various educational institutions.(KINS)
