Srinagar- A mega ‘tiranga’ rally was held here on Sunday with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha asserting that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir loves the national flag.
Participating in the rally organised as part of Independence Day celebrations, Sinha, in an apparent reference to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, said those who claimed that there won’t be anyone left in Jammu and Kashmir to raise the tiranga should have seen the turnout at the rally.
“They, who used to say that there won’t be anyone left in Jammu and Kashmir to raise the tiranga, would have understood that every youth of Jammu and Kashmir loves the national flag as much as people from any other part of the country,” Sinha said without taking any names.
The PDP president, in the run-up to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, had said if Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked, there will be no one left to raise the national flag.
“Today people of Jammu and Kashmir are being hailed across the country. As we are combining the people’s power and taking the development towards the poor and underprivileged, some people cannot bear this,” he said.
“There was a time when the youth of Kashmir was misled but today they are contributing to building the nation and Jammu and Kashmir. This is a proud moment for all of us. Let us come together and restore the status of Jammu and Kashmir as the jewel in the crown of India,” he added.
Sinha said he was feeling proud and satisfied that not only people from the administration and security forces were present in the rally but the common people of Kashmir also participated in it.
“I think and feel that respecting the tricolour is respecting the country and the brave soldiers who laid down their lives. People have understood that everyone has to guard the tricolour and everyone has to contribute to the development of the nation. I think this is the big change in Kashmir,” he said.
Kuldeep Handoo, a renowned sportsperson, lauded the efforts of the administration, saying the rally has sent out a message of unity among people.
“We will walk together to build this nation, children and adults, security forces and civilians, everyone is participating. This is going to be the big message that we are together, we are with India,” Handoo said.
Another participant, Jahanzeb, said the rally was a positive step for Kashmir.
“Such events should be held on every Independence Day. We are a part of India and had these steps been taken earlier, we might have been in a better situation today,” he said.
Memories of martyrs will live in our hearts forever, says Sinha
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday paid tribute to the freedom fighters, saying the memories of the martyrs will live on forever in the hearts of the people.
“I bow my head in reverence to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. The memories of their martyrdom will forever live on in our hearts and inspire us,” Sinha said at a ‘Meri Maati, Mera Desh’ programme here.
During the programme, Sinha administered the ‘Panch Pran’ pledge to students, Panchayati Raj Institution members and people. He also interacted with freedom fighters and their family members and took their blessings.
The Lt Governor observed that the pledge, ‘Vasudha Vandan’, ‘Veeron ka Vandan’ and the ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ across the Union Territory reflected the resolve, spirit and dedication of the people to the motherland.
He called upon the youngsters to take inspiration from the valour and courage of the bravehearts and strive to become worthy heirs of the great leaders.
“Mitti (soil) of the pious land of Jammu and Kashmir will soon reach the national capital in Amrit Kalash. It is a symbol of the sacrifice of our bravehearts, a reflection of the new dreams and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
The Vasudha Vandhan programme reminds “us about our duty towards nature”, he said.
“The campaign to plant 75 saplings in every village and develop ‘Amrit Vatika’ is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the efforts of sustainable development,” Sinha said.
“Let us devote ourselves to the ideals of great personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Lokmanya Tilak and work for the larger interest of society,” he added.
As a part of the ongoing Meri Mati, Mera Desh campaign, ‘shila-falakam’ will be installed in every village of Jammu and Kashmir as a tribute to the brave sons of Maa Bharati.
LG attends Jashn-e-Azadi celebrations on banks of Dal lake in Srinagar
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the Jashn-e-Azadi cultural programme organised by the Jammu and Kashmir government on the banks of Dal lake here to celebrate the Independence Day.
Hundreds of youths participated in the programme.
As emerging artistes including singers and musicians enthralled the audience, Sinha said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have regained the control of their lives.
“Could we follow our own will in the earlier system? Every citizen will say ‘No’. We could not live according to our wishes. A calendar of hartal and bandhs would be issued in January. The reins of innocent people’s lives were handed over to someone else.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, we shut the shops of profiteers and puppeteers and return the reins of people’s lives back to them,” Sinha said.
The LG said the politicians who allowed terrorism to take root in Jammu and Kashmir were today a frustrated lot as they have been exposed before the people.
“These people who gave birth to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir are now a frustrated lot. They are spreading lies about the development ushered in border areas through tourism. I don’t need to identify these people. Every person in Jammu and Kashmir knows the face of these enemies of peace and development. They have become irrelevant today,” he said.
Sinha said the youth were earlier turned into stone-pelters by vested interests.
“No one is born a stone-pelter. They were handed the stones by some conflict profiteers. They were misled by taking advantage of their innocence. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are extremely talented but they were denied the opportunities to use this talent for constructive purposes,” he added.
The participants at the event expressed happiness saying they enjoyed the atmosphere.
“I have seen for the first time that people of Kashmir are celebrating here. Today we also feel we belong to a nation. The people are enjoying it, I think everyone should be given a chance to enjoy,” Abid Hussain Gorsi, who attended the event, said.
Sarib Altaf, a student, said he was thankful to the hostel warden who allowed him to participate in the programme.
“We are enjoying the Jashn-e-Azadi programme. There are some students who prefer to stay home but I advise them to take part in these programmes,” Altaf said.
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