Shutdown In Valley
Srinagar, Jan 26: State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather Thursday said Kashmir has witnessed “remarkable improvement” in situation and time has come to focus on imparting moral education to youth.
After unfurling tri-color at Bakshi Stadium here, the main venue for Republic Day function in the valley, Rather took salute at march past by police, personnel from paramilitary, Home Guard, and students from different schools.
Opposition leader and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also attended the function. However she left the venue soon after Rather unfurled the tri-color.
“The situation had remarkably improved. Now is the time to focus on moral education of the youth,” Rather said.
He said democracy should be respected by everybody and all people associated with the democratic dispensation must exercise their powers and functions to bring relief into lives of people.
“We talk of rights, we must also realize and respect our duties,” the minister said.
Congratulating the people of the State, the minister said that it is time to introspect, assess and make resolutions for accelerating the developmental process. “We need to introspect and overcome our weaknesses for the development of our State. Peace is imperative for any kind of development,” he said and congratulated the people for maintaining peace which created a conducive environment for promoting tourism and other economic activities.
He said that last year 12 lakh tourists visited the valley and one crore pilgrims paid obeisance at Mata Vishnao Devi due to peace in the State, which brought cheer on the faces of those people who are directly or indirectly linked with tourism sector.
He said, “We should salute our armed forces and police who guard our borders and ensure internal security.”
He also reminded the people for sharing their responsibilities towards nation building. He said, “The Republic Day celebrations also remind us of the great leaders of nation who gave us the Constitution and right to equality to the people. We have the largest democracy in the world and we should be proud of it.”
The minister said that corruption is a menace that can be fought with active participation of the people adding that the newly legislated Public Services Guarantee Act is an important step towards ensuring good and people centric governance where public servants have been made more accountable and answerable. He said that this Act will ensure timely and effective redress of the various issues of common people.
Rather said that the media has a vital role to shape public opinions and they should play it to the hilt.
On the occasion, the minister announced Rs 2 lakh for purchasing track suits for all students who participated in Republic Day celebration.
Minister of State for Home, Tourism & PHE, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Batmaloo Irfan Shah, MLA Zadibal Peer Afaq, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IGP Kashmir, S.M. Sahai and other heads of the departments were present.
The artists of Information Department, Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and students of various schools presented colourful cultural programmes on the occasion.
Later, the minister distributed mementos in favour of the best performing participants including officers of Department of Information and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Senior officials from civil administration, police and paramilitary attended the function that passed off peacefully.
SHUTDOWN IN VALLEY:
A complete shutdown was observed in the Valley on the call given by the separatists.
Heavy security was deployed across Srinagar and other major towns in the State to foil any attempt to disturb the functions.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF men were deployed in different parts of the city to thwart protests. Authorities had asked mobile service operators to block services till the functions held at Srinagar and district headquarters pass off. Vehicle movement was also restricted while most shops remained closed.
Police and CRPF dressed in full battle gear patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar city, whilst sharpshooters watched from rooftops. No vehicle was allowed to ply on the roads around the Bakshi Stadium during the function.
Ministers of the Government presided over Republic Day functions at all other district headquarters of the Valley.
After unfurling tri-color at Bakshi Stadium here, the main venue for Republic Day function in the valley, Rather took salute at march past by police, personnel from paramilitary, Home Guard, and students from different schools.
Opposition leader and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also attended the function. However she left the venue soon after Rather unfurled the tri-color.
“The situation had remarkably improved. Now is the time to focus on moral education of the youth,” Rather said.
He said democracy should be respected by everybody and all people associated with the democratic dispensation must exercise their powers and functions to bring relief into lives of people.
“We talk of rights, we must also realize and respect our duties,” the minister said.
Congratulating the people of the State, the minister said that it is time to introspect, assess and make resolutions for accelerating the developmental process. “We need to introspect and overcome our weaknesses for the development of our State. Peace is imperative for any kind of development,” he said and congratulated the people for maintaining peace which created a conducive environment for promoting tourism and other economic activities.
He said that last year 12 lakh tourists visited the valley and one crore pilgrims paid obeisance at Mata Vishnao Devi due to peace in the State, which brought cheer on the faces of those people who are directly or indirectly linked with tourism sector.
He said, “We should salute our armed forces and police who guard our borders and ensure internal security.”
He also reminded the people for sharing their responsibilities towards nation building. He said, “The Republic Day celebrations also remind us of the great leaders of nation who gave us the Constitution and right to equality to the people. We have the largest democracy in the world and we should be proud of it.”
The minister said that corruption is a menace that can be fought with active participation of the people adding that the newly legislated Public Services Guarantee Act is an important step towards ensuring good and people centric governance where public servants have been made more accountable and answerable. He said that this Act will ensure timely and effective redress of the various issues of common people.
Rather said that the media has a vital role to shape public opinions and they should play it to the hilt.
On the occasion, the minister announced Rs 2 lakh for purchasing track suits for all students who participated in Republic Day celebration.
Minister of State for Home, Tourism & PHE, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Batmaloo Irfan Shah, MLA Zadibal Peer Afaq, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IGP Kashmir, S.M. Sahai and other heads of the departments were present.
The artists of Information Department, Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and students of various schools presented colourful cultural programmes on the occasion.
Later, the minister distributed mementos in favour of the best performing participants including officers of Department of Information and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Senior officials from civil administration, police and paramilitary attended the function that passed off peacefully.
SHUTDOWN IN VALLEY:
A complete shutdown was observed in the Valley on the call given by the separatists.
Heavy security was deployed across Srinagar and other major towns in the State to foil any attempt to disturb the functions.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF men were deployed in different parts of the city to thwart protests. Authorities had asked mobile service operators to block services till the functions held at Srinagar and district headquarters pass off. Vehicle movement was also restricted while most shops remained closed.
Police and CRPF dressed in full battle gear patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar city, whilst sharpshooters watched from rooftops. No vehicle was allowed to ply on the roads around the Bakshi Stadium during the function.
Ministers of the Government presided over Republic Day functions at all other district headquarters of the Valley.
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