KISHTWAR: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, fervour and patriotic spirit at district, Sub-Division, tehsil and block headquarters, besides government offices and educational institutions across Kishtwar.
The main function was held at Chowgan Grounds. The programme commenced with Shehnai Vadan by DIPR (DIC), followed by rendition of Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, who was the Chief Guest hoisted the Tricolour and took the salute of the March Past presented by contingents drawn from J&K Police, CRPF, CISF, IRP, NCC, GDC Kishtwar and students from various schools across the district.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh. The parade was commanded by DySP Divya Kesar.
Students and local artists presented patriotic and traditional songs and dance performances, which were appreciated by the audience. A large number of schoolchildren participated in the celebrations with enthusiasm.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of District and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of the 80th Independence Day. He highlighted the priceless sacrifices of freedom fighters, revolutionaries, great men and brave heroes who sacrificed everything for the country’s freedom and paid heartfelt tribute to them.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the brave young men, security forces, soldiers and police personnel dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and sovereignty of the country. He said that “Operation Sindoor has shown the entire world that our country is capable of protecting its own borders.” He also highlighted that the success of Operation Trashi played an important role in destroying the terrorist structure in the district and congratulated the Police Administration, Indian Army and other security forces for their efforts.
He said that under the visionary leadership and guidance of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward on the path of progress, prosperity and development. He observed that youths who were earlier misled by external enemy forces into anti-national activities are now returning to the mainstream and contributing towards the upliftment of the nation.
Giving details of developmental works, the DC informed that out of 2,565 works taken up under last year’s District Capex Budget, 2,447 have been completed, while this year, out of 1,975 new works, the tendering process for 1,933 works has been completed.
“Under the Aspirational Block Programme, NITI Aayog has placed Marwah Block at the second position in the entire country, resulting in an additional allocation of ₹2 crore. Under Sampoorna Abhiyan 2.0, six key indicators established by NITI Aayog have been completed in Marwah Block,” he informed.
He further shared that 26,000 individuals are receiving benefits under different social security schemes in the District.
Referring to development of backward areas, he said “Under the Tribal Plan, 28 out of 32 works have been completed, while the remaining four are progressing at full speed. The construction of the Gurjar Bakarwal Hostel at Chhatroo under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan has also nearing completion with about 90 percent work having been completed.
“In the agriculture sector, ₹25 crore has been invested for the first time in the district to promote vegetable and flower cultivation. The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar Awaam Aajeevika Mission has been implemented across rural areas with an interim allocation of ₹90 crore. To promote youth entrepreneurship and self-employment, ₹31.60 crore has been disbursed against 561 approved proposals,” he shared.
Highlighting Kishtwar’s rich cultural heritage, religious sites, and spiritual traditions, the DC appealed people to preserve their sanctity and extend full cooperation to government agencies in keeping the environment clean with strict compliance to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
Highlighting the administration’s efforts towards making Kishtwar drug-free, he said that a comprehensive 100-day anti-drug campaign was launched by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor on April 11, 2026. A mega rally was organised on June 6, 2026, in which people from all sections of society participated. During the campaign, a total of 2,34,000 programmes were organised at various places across the district, with more than 30 lakh people participating. Properties worth ₹26 crore belonging to drug traffickers including a car and a residential house, were confiscated. From the stage, he appealed to the youth of Kishtwar to stay away from drugs and not allow their bright future to be ruined by the menace of substance abuse.
He heartily congratulated the people of Kishtwar for their enthusiasm, zeal and fervent patriotism during all three phases of the “Har Ghar Tiranga” and “Vande Mataram” campaigns. He said that in the first phase of the Vande Mataram campaign, Kishtwar secured the first position in the entire country, with schoolchildren and youth playing an important role. He also appealed to citizens to actively participate in the tree-plantation campaign — “Ek Ped Ek Maa ke Naam” and “Ek Ped Shahidon ke Naam”.
The DC expressed pride over the unwavering cooperation and enthusiasm of the people of Kishtwar in successfully completing the first phase of Census 2027 and thanked the census officers, enumerators, supervisors, charge officers and technical teams for their dedicated efforts. He urged every resident to participate with the same spirit of enthusiasm and responsibility in the upcoming second phase, scheduled from August 17, 2026, to September 30, 2026, stressing that the Census is not merely a counting exercise but the foundation for future planning, development and welfare.
The DC said that Kishtwar has long been a symbol of harmony, brotherhood, unity in diversity and rich cultural traditions. He urged citizens to honour the sacrifices of the freedom fighters by upholding national unity, constitutional and democratic values, protecting the environment and contributing towards a clean, green, self-reliant and developed India.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening the bond of brotherhood and communal harmony, he recited:
“Aise khwab mere mulk mein aisi faza bane,
Mandir jale toh ranj musalman ko bhi ho,
Pamal hone na paaye masjid ki aabroo,
Yeh fikr mandir ke nigehbaan ko bhi ho.”
The Independence Day celebrations concluded with the felicitation of dedicated officers, individuals and students for their meritorious and exemplary work. The best-performing parade contingents and participants in the cultural presentations were also felicitated by the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The Masters of Ceremony for the occasion were Roopesh Sharma, Zorawar Singh and Awani Sen, who conducted the proceedings in a dignified, orderly and professional manner, ensuring the smooth conduct of the Independence Day celebrations in accordance with the prescribed ceremonial protocol.
ADDC, Vinod Kumar Behnal; ADC, Pawan Kotwal; PO ICDS, Rishi Kumar Sharma; CEO, KDA, Kaiser Bhawani; CPO, Akhil Thakur; ACR, Idrees Lone; DIO, Dr. Kuldeep Kumar; EO, MC, Mirza Mumtaz Iqbal; DFO; DYSSO, Jaffer Haider Sheikh; CEO, Sanjay Dogra; besides other officers from Civil, Police, Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and staff from various departments were present on the occasion.
