SRINAGAR, AUGUST 15: The 79th Independence Day was celebrated across Kashmir division today with a renewed spirit of patriotism and solidarity, commemorating the historic occasion and reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage and the resilient spirit of its people.
The day was marked by a host of events across all districts, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, addresses by the chief guests and heartfelt tributes to the freedom fighters who shaped the nation’s journey toward independence. They also extended warm greetings to the people on the 79th Independence Day of the nation. This year’s celebrations hold special significance with the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign being observed under the broader initiative of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, commemorating India’s rich journey of independence and the spirit of patriotism in every household.
On the occasion, tributes were paid to all those who lost their lives in yesterday’s cloudburst incident in Kishtwar district. As a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Kishtwar cloudburst incident, all cultural performances or felicitation ceremonies were cancelled.
At Ganderbal, the main function was held at Qamaria Stadium, where Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Ganderbal, Nuzhat Ishfaq, hoisted the National Flag and took salute at the March Past parade. Contingents from J&K Police, JKP (Ladies), CRPF, SSB, PTS Manigam, SPO Ganderbal, Home Guard, Forest Protection Force, and students from various schools participated in the parade. At Pulwama, the main function was held at the District Police Lines (DPL) Pulwama, where District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson, Syed Abdul Bari Andrabi, hoisted the National Flag and took the salute at the parade. At Kulgam, the main Independence Day function was held at District Police Lines Kulgam where Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC) Kulgam, M Afzal Parrey hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the march past presented by the contingents of CRPF, JKP, JKP Ladies Police Group, District police band and Home guard, NCC besides school children and other contingents. At Kupwara, the main Independence Day function was held at District Police Lines (DPL) Kupwara where Chairman, District Development Council (DDC) Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori hoisted the National Flag, inspected the parade and took salute at March-past.
At Bandipora, Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC) Bandipora, Abdul Gani Bhat, hoisted the National Flag at S.K. Sports Stadium, Bandipora, and took salute at the march past presented by contingents of CRPF, J&K Police, JKIRP, JKAP women’s wing, Fire & Emergency Services, SPOs, Home Guard, NCC, students, and the J&K Police Band Group. At Shopian, the Independence Day celebrations were today held with patriotic zeal and enthusiasm across Shopian district, with the main function held at District Police Lines (DPL) Shopian, where Chairperson, DDC Shopian, Bilqees Jan hoisted the National Flag and inspected the parade. At Budgam, the main district-level Independence Day 2025 function was held at Sports Stadium Budgam, where the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, who was the chief guest, hoisted the National Flag and took salute at the ceremonial march-past parade.