STATE TIMES NEWS
KATRA: The 73rd Republic Day was celebrated with traditional fervor and patriotism at Katra, the base town for pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
The main function at Katra was held at the Shrine Board’s Sports Complex, where Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, unfurled the Tricolour and took salute at an impressive march-past by the contingents drawn from J&K Police, CRPF, NCC, besides the students of various educational institutions.
Paying rich tributes to the freedom fighters, the CEO said that the Nation owes gratitude to these great leaders who sacrificed their lives to secure freedom from foreign rule.
He also paid tribute to the soldiers and security personnel who stand as the guardians to maintain peace and protect the sovereignty of the country.
Ramesh Kumar recalled contributions made by Late H.L. Maini, retired Chief Engineer who conferred with annual UT Awards-2022 alongwith Rakesh Kumar, Paralympian on the eve of Republic Day as Late Maini served the general public of Jammu and Kashmir along with significantly contributing in the development of critical infrastructure at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, besides, Rakesh Kumar, Para Archer and Olympian in the promotion of Para Sports in Jammu and Kashmir and laurels he brought for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi’s Sports Complex and the Union territory.
He also gave details of various major infrastructure development projects already completed by the Shrine Board, ongoing and those in the pipeline including completion of Durga Bhawan in the present year for facilitation of the pilgrims, besides, steps taken by the Board for mitigation and crowd management by way of effective queue management and identifying more halting spots at Bhawan and Katra.
Earlier, the students of various educational institutions presented a colorful scintillating cultural programme on this occasion based on the theme of patriotism and national integration.
On this occasion, Ramesh Kumar also honored Prof Shiv Nirmohi who has been recently conferred with Padma Shri on Republic Day for his outstanding contribution in the field of literature.
Ramesh Kumar gave away prizes and appreciation to the COVID Warriors from various departments, Social Workers and Students who were adjudged best in the march-past and presentation of cultural programme.
Among those present on the occasion were Vimal Indu, President, Municipal Committee, Katra; Abhishek Sharma, SDM, Katra; Amit Bhasin, Addl. SP, Katra; Hem Kant Prasher, Director Finance, SMVDSB; Yad Ram Bunker, Commandant, 6th Bn. CRPF; Dr. Sunil Sharma, Joint CEO; Deepak Dubey, Vishavjeet Singh, Dy. CEOs, SMVDSB, Managers, Engineers and staff of the Shrine Board. Others who participated in the function included Members of Municipal Committee, Katra, Civil, Police and Security Forces Officers, Prominent Citizens, Heads of various Educational Institutions, Media Persons, a large number of people of the area, teachers, school children and the pilgrims.
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, Ramesh Kumar, CEO, SMVDSB, also unfurled the Tricolour at the Central Office of the Shrine Board at Katra. Sweets were also distributed among the children on this occasion.
The National Flag was hoisted by Naresh Kumar, SDM at Bhawan in the presence of CRPF, Police and Shrine Board officers and staff.