Despite the chilling cold weather the 67th Republic Day was celebrated in Kargil at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium Biamathang with much fervour on 26th January. 

CEC Kargil Haji Hanifa Jan who was also the chief guest in his speech paid homage to those brave soldiers who laid their life in the service of Nation.Before his speech, he hoisted the national flag and then inspected the parade.

While addressing the audience, he appreciated the role played by the Indian Army for guarding the borders of the Country, even in difficult and inhospitable conditions. He praised the role of the Army and the security forces for their valour and alertness.

Thanking the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi for sanctioning ₹ 9090 Crore for Zojjila Tunnel, 2700 for Kargil-Zanskar Road, Cold Storage, Pashmina Development, Haji Hanifa said that during his recent visit to center he had also requested the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to include the Package for Flood Affected areas in the Prime Minister’s Package.

During his visit he mentioned, he had has also requested the Union Finance Minister to expedite the works on Zojjila tunnel from both sides and also provide employment opportunity during the constructions of the tunnel and other projects. 

Giving a brief overview of the achievements of the present Hill Council in Kargil, Haji Hanifa Jan said that at present developmental projects includes the approval of five road projects worth of ₹55 Crores under CRF Scheme, 2700 Megawatt of Solar Project, 5 Megawatt for Rooftop SPV Projects which will start from Kargil Town, ₹125 Crore for Hydel Projects, ₹210 crore for Wind and other Energy projects.

He told that Present Council has tried its best to curb the menace of unemployment and out of the 1200 posts vacant in various departments in the district, 400 posts has been filled and 120 other posts will be filled very soon.

Thanking the Executive Councilors, Councilors, Deputy Commissioner Kargil and District Officers, Haji Hanifa Jan urged the people to uphold the virtues of the age-old communal harmony and brotherhood for peace and prosperity of the State. He also emphasized the need for cooperation between the government and the masses in the implementation of the innumerable developmental schemes for their timely completion for early benefits of the people.

The contingents of the parade comprised of Jammu and Kashmir Police, NCC, Army and Civil Band Party and troupes of Government and private schools. 

Despite immense cold and freezing temperature, thousands of People from the adjoining villages of Kargil gathered at Sports Stadium Biamathang and celebrated the 67th Republic Day with patriotic fervor and gaiety. 

Prominent among others present on the occasion, included Executive Councilor Syed Abbas Razvi, Mohsin Ali, Councilors, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Kacho Hassan Khan, Station Director AIR Kargil Suresh Kumar,  Brigadier 121 Infantry Brigade, Superintendent of Police Kargil Rahul Malik, senior civil and Army officers and Prominent Political and Civil Persons of Kargil. 

Colourful cultural programmes by the artists of Information Department, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and the school children were also presented on the occasion. 

Later the CEC distributed prize among the contingents and the cultural groups that participated in the celebrations.

India Radio Baroo Kargil and such functions were also seen at other Stations of AIR and various other Government Establishments. 

Addressing to the staff of Radio Colony and Inmates of Bal Ashram, Suresh Kumar, Head of Office hoisted the National flag and lauded the role played by All India Radio in freedom struggle and Nation Building. He said that it’s the duty of every countryman and Government servant to rise to the occasion and give its full potential for the nation building.He called upon the staff to provide the best service to the people of this frontier district and praised the staff members who served the radio in the adverse climatic conditions and circumstances.

Republic Day was also celebrated at Drass, Shargole, Sankoo, Chiktan, Zanskar and other block headquarters of the district where the SDMs of the respective block hoisted the national flag and celebrated the day