RAJOURI, AUGUST 15: The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and national spirit across Rajouri district, with the main function held here at the District Police Lines (DPL) Grounds.
District Development Commissioner Abhishek Sharma hoisted the National Flag and took the ceremonial salute.
The impressive parade featured contingents from JKAP, JK Executive Police, JK Police Band, CRPF, JK FPF, Home Guard and NCC.
The celebrations also featured the rendition of the National Song and National Anthem, with the gathering joining in the patriotic moments with great enthusiasm and pride, further adding to the spirit of the Independence Day
Addressing the gathering, the DDC extended warm greetings to the people of Rajouri and paid homage to the freedom fighters, soldiers, police personnel and martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for the nation. He said Rajouri is a land of valour, diversity and brotherhood, where people of different communities and backgrounds have strengthened the spirit of unity and national integration.
The DDC said that the true meaning of independence is fulfilled when the last village gets road connectivity, every family has a pucca house, every child receives education and security, every youth gets opportunities, every elderly person is respected and every citizen has faith in the system. He said the district administration has been working with this vision by focusing on border areas, tribal development, education, healthcare, employment, housing, heritage and good governance.
Highlighting the development of border areas, the DDC said 08 villages of the district are being covered under the Vibrant Villages Programme with focus on all-weather road connectivity, telecommunications, grid-based power and television connectivity. He said these eight strategic villages have been identified for integrated development covering roads, electricity, drinking water, health, education, livelihood and tourism. He particularly highlighted the achievement of providing road connectivity to Chappara Dhara for the first time.
On tribal development, the DDC said 104 villages have been declared tribal villages under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, with ground-truthing and gap analysis being undertaken to ensure development plans are based on actual requirements. He highlighted initiatives for strengthening educational infrastructure in remote tribal areas, deployment of mobile medical units and capacity building under the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan.
Speaking about the Aspirational Block Khawas, the DDC said the block has demonstrated that difficult and remote areas can achieve national-level recognition through focused targets, teamwork and public participation. Khawas secured 13th position nationally in the March 2026 Aspirational Blocks ranking, with significant progress across key indicators. He also highlighted the improvement in JKBOSE results, expansion of basic services and new opportunities for youth through Mission Yuva.
The DDC placed special emphasis on education, girls and youth empowerment. He said around 450 girls from remote areas, including Kotranka and Khawas, have been provided free coaching, mentoring and career guidance, while the education of 16 meritorious girls from economically weaker and vulnerable families has been sponsored. He also highlighted the Mission Yuva Bhawan established at a cost of ₹31.88 lakh, which has been operational since April 2026 to provide guidance, counselling and handholding for entrepreneurship and self-employment.
In the health sector, the DDC highlighted the expansion of telemedicine services in remote areas, with GMC Rajouri serving as the hub and the addition of 50 MBBS seats at Government Medical College Rajouri. He also appreciated the contribution of ASHA workers, health staff, Anganwadi workers and communities towards achieving zero maternal deaths during 2025-26.
On housing, the DDC said that out of 62,176 houses sanctioned under PMAY-Gramin, 61,212 houses, or 98.4 per cent, have already been completed, with efforts underway to complete the remaining houses at the earliest.
Highlighting infrastructure and governance, he said major connectivity projects, including the Bathuni bridge and Nowshera Tunnel, have been completed, while the opening of the Sungal Tunnel will further reduce travel time and improve connectivity. He also highlighted the expansion of e-governance and establishment of an e-Governance-cum-MPLAD Facilitation Centre of Excellence to improve public service delivery.
The DDC also underlined the importance of preserving Rajouri’s rich heritage and strengthening the local economy. He said 30 heritage projects worth ₹139.28 lakh have been approved during 2026-27. He welcomed the inclusion of the historic Bhairav Yatra in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, describing it as an important recognition of Rajouri’s cultural heritage and an opportunity to promote cultural and pilgrimage tourism.
Referring to the recent flood situation, the DDC expressed gratitude to the SDRF, NDRF, Police, Army, Civil Administration, health workers, local volunteers, youth and citizens for their prompt response, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. He stressed the need for continued disaster preparedness, protection of water bodies and rivers, prevention of encroachments and greater community participation in building a disaster-resilient Rajouri.
Expressing concern over drug abuse, the DDC called upon families, youth, civil society organisations and the entire community to join hands with the administration in the collective fight against the drug menace. He also urged citizens to protect the environment, maintain cleanliness, respect women, avoid rumours and uphold national unity in their daily lives.
For the coming year, the DDC presented five shared commitments: saturation of basic services in border and remote villages; quality education and safe opportunities for every child, particularly girls; promotion of youth entrepreneurship, skills and local livelihoods; ensuring health, housing and social security reach the last family; and making peace, communal harmony, cleanliness, environmental protection and disaster preparedness a people’s movement.
The DDC expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces, J&K Police, health and education departments, revenue and development departments, sanitation workers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, public representatives, self-help groups, volunteers, media and citizens for their contribution to Rajouri’s development. He said the achievements of the district are a result of collective effort and called for greater efficiency, sensitivity and accountability wherever gaps remain.
Urging the youth to uphold the true spirit of the Tricolour, the DDC said that carrying the National Flag is not enough; its values of unity, integrity, sacrifice, service and responsibility must be reflected in everyday conduct. He called upon the people to collectively strengthen Rajouri’s contribution to the vision of a developed India.
The celebrations also featured a vibrant array of cultural performances presented by students and local artists, showcasing the rich cultural heritage, diversity and patriotic spirit of Rajouri. The performances received an enthusiastic response from the audience and were widely appreciated for their creativity, energy and patriotic fervour.
As part of the celebrations, saplings were distributed among the participants and officers to promote environmental conservation and encourage greater community participation in creating a greener and cleaner Rajouri. Officers and officials who played a crucial role in the recent flood situation in Rajouri were also felicitated during the programme in recognition of their dedicated services, prompt response and significant contribution to rescue, relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
The programme was smoothly coordinated by stage secretaries Sumit Bhargav and Muslim Wani, ensuring a seamless and memorable Independence Day celebration.
Among others, MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Sandeep Wazir, Principal District and Session judge, Rajinder Sapru; Secretary DLSA, Shama Sharma; District Mobile Magistrate Traffic Court Rajouri Shavika Gupta; Chief Judicial Magistrate Javed Raina; ADDC, Malik Zada Sheraz Ul Haq; SSP Rajouri Gaurav Sikarwar, Commandant IRP 2nd Battalion Nasir Ahmad, ADC Rajouri Ravi Kumar Sihag; ASP Bikram Kumar; ACR Mohammad Jhangir Khan, ACD Auqil Nuvaid, DDE Mohd Nawaz Choudhary, SE PWD/Hydraulics, DSEO Sandeep Sharma, ARTO, Ashiq Rafiq Malik; district officers, prominent citizens and thousands of people attended the celebrations.
