Srinagar, Aug 15: The 78th Independence Day was celebrated on Thursday across Kashmir with the main function held at Bakshi Stadium here.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the day was marked by a series of events, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances, and tributes to the freedom fighters who have shaped the nation’s journey held across all the districts.
Apart from the main function, the celebrations were held in all districts where the District Development Council (DDC) Chairman and Chairperson hoisted the tricolour and addressed the participants.
This year’s celebrations hold particular significance, with ‘Swachhta Pakhwada,’ a fortnight-long cleanliness campaign launched by the Government of India under the Swachh Bharat Mission, held to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage.
“Plantation drives were organised under the theme ‘Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam’ to pay rich tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, and Tiranga Rallies were also held as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign,” the spokesman said.
ANANTNAG
In Anantnag, the main Independence Day function was held at Shaheed Himayun Muzzamil Memorial Government Degree College Boys Anantnag, where Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Anantnag, Muhammad Yousuf Gorsi hoisted the tricolour and took salute at the parade.
The celebrations were also held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Anantnag where the tricolour was hoisted by DC Anantnag S F Hamid.
Similar functions were also held at Sub Divisional Headquarters, Tehsil Headquarters, Community Development blocks and various other public offices.
BARAMULLA
In Baramulla, the main function was held at Showkat Ali Sports Stadium, Baramulla.
DDC Chairperson, Safina Baigh, ceremoniously hoisted the tricolour, inspected the parade, and took the salute during the march past.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir, Vivek Gupta, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa and SSP Baramulla, Amod Nagpure also participated in celebrations.
In a similar function organised at the DC Office Complex, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa hoisted the tricolour and took the salute during the ceremony.
BUDGAM
In Budgam, the main function was held at Sports Stadium Budgam, where Chairman DDC Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Khan hoisted the tricolour and took a salute at the march-past parade.
DC Budgam, Akshay Labroo and SSP Budgam, Nikhil Borkar also participated in the event.
Meanwhile, DC Budgam, Akshay Labroo also hoisted the tricolor at the DC Office.
GANDERBAL
In Ganderbal, the main event was held at Qamaria Stadium Ganderbal and marked by the hoisting of the tricolour by DDC Chairperson, Nuzhat Ishfaq, who also took the salute during an impressive march-past.
The celebrations were attended by DC Ganderbal Shyambir, Vice Chairperson DDC Bilal Ahmad Sheikh and SSP Ganderbal Sandeep Gupta.
Earlier, the DC hoisted the tricolour at the Mini Secretariat Complex and DC residence.
KUPWARA
In Kupwara, the main function was held at District Police Lines (DPL) Kupwara where Chairman DDC Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori hoisted the tricolour, inspected the parade, and took salute at march-past.
Vice Chairman DDC Farooq Ahmad Mir, DC Kupwara Ayushi Sudan and SSP Kupwara Shobbit Saxena were also present on the occasion.
Similar functions were also held at Handwara, Lolab subdivision, Karnah subdivision, where concerned heads ADC hoisted the tricolour, inspected the parade and took salute at march past
KULGAM
In Kulgam, the main function was held at District Police Lines Kulgam where Chairperson DDC Kulgam, Muhammad Afzal Parrey hoisted the tricolour and took the salute at the march past.
DC Kulgam Athar Aamir Khan and SSP Sahil Sarangal were also present at the event.
In a similar function at the mini-secretariat Kulgam, the DC Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan hoisted the tricolour.
BANDIPORA
In Bandipora, the main event was held at S K Stadium where Chairperson DDC, Abdul Gani Bhat hoisted the tricolour, inspected the parade, and took the salute from the march-past.
DC Shopian Shakeel-ul-Rehman and SSP Lakshay Sharma also witnessed the celebrations.
At the Mini Secretariat Bandipora, DC Bandipora Shakeel-ul-Rehman hoisted the tricolour.
SHOPIAN
In Shopian, the main event was held at the District Police Lines (DPL) Shopian.
Chairperson DDC Shopian, Bilqees Jan hoisted the tricolour, inspected the parade, and took a salute on the impressive march past.
The event was attended by SSP Shopian Tanushree. Early morning, DC Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb hoisted the tricolour at Mini Secretariat, Shopian.