CM Omar Abdullah hoists national flag in Srinagar

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at the 80th Independence Day function at Bakhshi Stadium here and reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring statehood and constitutional guarantees for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Chief Minister also took the salute at the ceremonial parade and march-past, which included contingents of the J&K Police, security forces and school students, besides brass and pipe bands.

Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah said his government would work to take Jammu & Kashmir to “new heights” of development, prosperity and progress and fulfil the aspirations of those who had sacrificed their lives for the future of the region.

Opening his address with the patriotic verse, “Sare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara; Hum Bulbulein Hain Iski, Yeh Gulistan Hamara,” the Chief Minister said Independence Day was an occasion of joy, remembrance and gratitude, as well as an opportunity to reflect on whether the vision of those who sacrificed their lives for the country had been fully realised.

He said the government would continue to represent and serve the people of Jammu & Kashmir while working to make their aspirations a reality.

“Whether it is to bring Jammu & Kashmir to that level again, whether it is to restore the constitutional guarantees of Jammu & Kashmir, whether it is to regain the special status of Jammu & Kashmir, or whether it is to start a new era of progress in J&K, your government is not only a promise for all these things, but your government will make it a reality,” he said.

Focus on development, jobs and hope

The Chief Minister said the government’s efforts were aimed at ensuring that every young person in every village could see a ray of hope and feel that Jammu & Kashmir was moving away from uncertainty towards a better future.

He stressed that development, prosperity and employment opportunities could not be achieved through words alone and that the real test of governance lay in translating commitments into action.

Reflecting on the eight decades since Independence, Omar said the occasion called for both celebration and introspection. He identified democracy and federalism as two of the country’s biggest strengths and called for their preservation and strengthening.

“Our country is a Union of States,” he said, stressing that strengthening federalism required strengthening the States and respecting their constitutional powers and responsibilities.

He said erosion of the powers of States or interference by central agencies in areas falling within their domain weakened federalism. Referring to education and health, he said States had traditionally played an important role in these sectors.

While national-level examinations for national institutions were legitimate, he said State institutions should retain the right to conduct their own examinations and admissions.

Calls for transparency in recruitment, admissions

The Chief Minister also stressed the need to restore public trust in recruitment and admission processes.

He said that although trust in a system could be lost within moments, rebuilding it required years of sustained effort.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, whether it is admission, recruitment or any other process, it should be transparent, merit-based and fair, so that those who genuinely deserve a job or a seat get their rightful opportunity,” he said.

Recalls J&K’s role in defending region in 1947

Omar Abdullah paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom and recalled the contribution of people of Jammu & Kashmir who resisted tribal raiders and infiltrators in 1947, even before the arrival of the Indian Army.

Remembering late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, whom he described as the tallest leader of Jammu & Kashmir and “Baba-e-Qaum”, the Chief Minister said the contribution of the people of the region in defending their homeland could not be forgotten.

He recalled the resistance to the tribal invasion, including the call, “Hamlavar Khabardar; Hum Kashmiri Hain, Tayyaar,” and paid particular tribute to Master Abdul Aziz, a National Conference leader who was killed in Muzaffarabad while resisting the tribal attack.

Referring to the situation in the part of Jammu & Kashmir under Pakistan’s occupation, Omar said the people living there were “not strangers” but part of the same land and people of Jammu & Kashmir.

“We consider those people as our own, not strangers,” he said, adding that the J&K Legislative Assembly continues to keep seats vacant for them in the hope that one day they would be able to occupy those seats.

Government, Opposition and media have roles

The Chief Minister called for continuous engagement between the government and the people, saying governance could be meaningful only when the government remained connected with the aspirations and expectations of citizens.

He said the government had the responsibility to work, while the Opposition had the responsibility to question and hold it accountable both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly. The media, he added, had an important role in questioning both.

Omar said his government had been working for nearly two years for the betterment, development and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir.

“This government is your government. It is working for you. It is working for the betterment and development of Jammu and Kashmir. It is working for the prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The Chief Minister chose not to read out the official speech and the list of achievements of his government, saying these should be deemed to have been read.

Cultural programmes, awards mark celebrations

The Independence Day function also featured cultural programmes showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, drawing applause from the Chief Minister and the gathering.

Omar Abdullah presented awards to outstanding officers and employees in recognition of their contribution to public service. He also distributed prizes among students, police and paramilitary personnel, members of the J&K Sports Council and artists from the Cultural Academy for their performances, which were evaluated by a jury.

The function was attended by former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, several Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior officers of the J&K civil and police administration and a large gathering of people.

Concluding his address, the Chief Minister congratulated the people on Independence Day and expressed hope that the next 80 years of the country would be more magnificent than the previous eight decades, marked by greater progress, brotherhood, peace and happiness.

“Jai Hind. Jai Jammu Kashmir,” he said.