Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Various units of Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 70th Independence Day with enthusiasm and patriotic fervor in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In Ladakh region, flag hoisting ceremonies were conducted by Army at about 30 locations in which thousands of civilians participated. Apart from flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes by school children with ‘National Integration’ as the dominant theme were also held.
A wreath laying ceremony was also conducted at Rezang La war memorial to commemorate and honour of the gallant last stand taken by Major Shaitan Singh and his gallant men of ‘C’ Coy 13 Kumaon during the Chinese aggression of 1962.
A joint team of Army and Overdrive also participated in the flag hoisting ceremony at the Siachen Base Camp. At Leh, an Army Band display and a weapon display was also held which were great hit with the local populace.
The Independence Day was also celebrated with fervour by the Army at various locations of Reasi and Rajouri districts. The National Flag was hoisted by the Army in the presence of large number of people including officials from the civil administration, Sarpanches, teachers, students, Veer Naris and ex-servicemen.
Various events like weapon and specialised equipment display, drawing and debate competition with the theme of `I Love My India’ were conducted on the occasion. A plantation drive was organised by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Jhangar highlighting the endeavor of the Army towards a cleaner and greener India.
While the weapon display event was the main attraction for the youth, the sports and literary fest highlighted the endeavor of the Indian Army in giving the children of the region a platform to project their talent. Large number of prizes were distributed to participants on the occasion.
Nationalistic fervour and enthusiastic participation by the youth of the remote Jhallas and Salotri villages of Poonch district marked a fortnight long celebration of the 70th Independence Day in the Krishna Ghati Sector.
Sports events, inter-school debate and quiz competition conducted by the village Panchayats assisted by the Army saw students participating with the energy and exuberance which only the youth can possess. Riya Sharma and Sanjana Sharma of village Jhallas won the inter-school debate competition speaking on the theme ‘Sare Jahaan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara’.
Army also celebrated Independence Day at far flung areas of Bhadarwah tehsil, which included villages of Dharamkot, Bhalla, Goha, Chinta, Bihota and Sitengal. The highlights of the event were hoisting of National Flag, singing of National Anthem and various cultural programmes.
The Rashtriya Rifles battalion at Topa, part of Romeo Force also celebrated the Independence Day with patriotic fervor. A number of events were organized on the occasion with active participation from the people particularly youth.
The Independence Day was also celebrated in Frontier Headquarter BSF Jammu with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Many functions and events were organized on this occasion.
D K Upadhyaya, IG BSF hoisted the National Flag at BSF Stadium, Paloura, Jammu in the presence of officers and jawans. He reminded the BSF men about the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters to liberate mother land from the yoke of the foreign rulers.
On the occasion, the children presented a thrilling and colorful cultural programme with full of patriotic emotion. The Independence Day was also celebrated by the BSF personnel deployed on the border and LoC with equal fervor and enthusiasm.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated 70th Independence Day in its establishments and Battalions.
Attending flag hoisting ceremony at Group Centre CRPF, Bantalab, S N Shrivastava, Special DG CRPF Jammu & Kashmir Zone read out the names of awardees. He said that amongst the paramilitary forces, CRPF continued to bag the lion’s share once again and has been decorated with 44 gallantry medals.
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