A 100-feet tall national flag was on Sunday hoisted on the historic Hari Parbat in the summer capital, Srinagar on the occasion of 75th Independence Day. The national flag was hoisted by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at Hari Parbat, which is also known as Kooh-e-Maran. The fort lies on the west of Dal Lake in the city and was built by Afghan Governor Atta Mohammed Khan in the 18th century.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Indian Army, Flag Foundation of India, Naveen Jindal, CRPF, SMC and the people of UT for this proud initiative.
“Our tricolor is a symbol of selflessness, purity, and sacrifice. It belongs to all of us equally and unites us in diversity. Thousands of brave soldiers shed their blood to protect its prestige so that future generations can live in a socially and economically inclusive system. Today, in the shadow of the tricolor, we are showing the path of inclusiveness to the world,” observed the Lt Governor.
“I salute the brave soldiers of Army, Para Military, Jammu and Kashmir Police. Their valor and sacrifice have taken the country to the highest level of progress. J&K’s fast-growing economy, social upliftment is the true reflection of their sheer grit and commitment,” said the Lt Governor
“On this occasion, I also bow to the families of the freedom fighters who sacrificed their present for the future of the nation,” the Lt Governor added.
He said the National Flag is a representation of our renaissance, development and aspirations of the youth, and the journey of India in the last 75 years.
The Lt Governor quoted Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and said that “This flag is a treaty of the past and present. This is the ancestral property left by the heroes of our freedom struggle who are part of the cause of this great day of Indian Independence. In this flag, the Ashoka Chakra is the wheel of justice for us, the wheel of dharma and those who work under this flag should follow the principle of truth and dharma”.
“Freedom fighter Govind Malviya had said in the Constituent Assembly that this tricolor is self-respect of the country, and the most beloved & valuable wealth for the countrymen,” he added.
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the idea for the Tricolor atop Hari Parbat was conceptualized by the Indian Army and completed with the support of the Flag Foundation of India, J&K Government, Central Reserve Police Force and the people of Kashmir.
Lt Gen DP Pandey, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps; Shri Jagdambika Paul, Public Accounts Committee Member & Member Parliament; Shri Navin Jindal, President, Flag Foundation of India besides senior officers of Army and civil administration were present on the occasion.
A similar 100-feet tall tricolour was installed at the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg earlier this week as a part of the Independence Day celebration.
Meanwhile, the historic Ganta Ghar in Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, was lit up in tricolour since Saturday evening. The famous Clock Tower was illuminated in Tricolour by the city’s municipal corporation.
Several other prominent buildings in the city and other parts the valley, including Srinagar International Airport, have been illuminated to mark Independence Day.
