Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that his government was committed to fighting for the restoration of the constitutional guarantees of Jammu & Kashmir, regaining its statehood and ushering in a new era of progress and development.
"Whether it is to bring Jammu & Kashmir to that level again, whether it is to restore the constitutional guarantees of Jammu and 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," Omar Abdullah said while addressing the 80th Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar.
Omar Abdullah hoisted the national flag on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day and took the salute at the ceremonial parade and march-past.
Opening his speech with the famous patriotic verse, "Sare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara; Hum Bulbulein Hain Iski, Yeh Gulistan Hamara", the Chief Minister said the words beautifully capture the love, pride and emotional bond that people share with their country. He said Independence Day was an occasion to reflect on whether the India envisioned by those who made the supreme sacrifice had been fully realised and, if not, what more needed to be done.
"Today is a day of joy, a day of remembrance and a day of gratitude," he said, paying tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation and reaffirming the commitment to build an India marked by greater progress, peace, brotherhood and happiness.
He reiterated that his government's resolve was to build a stronger Jammu & Kashmir and take it to the next level in terms of development, prosperity and progress, while working for the restoration of its statehood and constitutional guarantees.
The chief minister said the government would continue to represent, serve and work for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and strive to fulfil the dreams of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and future of the region.
"We will continue to represent you. We will continue to serve you. We will continue to do our work to bring Jammu and Kashmir to that level," the Chief Minister said, assuring the people that the government would work to make their aspirations a reality.
Govt Working to Take J&K to New Level of Development
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 from uncertainty towards a better future.
He emphasised that development, prosperity and employment opportunities could not be achieved through words alone and that the real test lay in translating commitments into action.
Reflecting on the 80 years since Independence, the Chief Minister said the occasion was not only one of celebration but also of remembrance, gratitude and introspection about the India envisioned by those who made the supreme sacrifice for its freedom.
Democracy, Federalism Biggest Strengths of Indian Union
He underlined that democracy and federalism were among the two biggest strengths of the country and stressed the need to preserve, strengthen and deepen both.
"Our country is a union of states," he said, asserting that strengthening federalism required strengthening the states and ensuring that their constitutional powers and responsibilities were respected.
The Chief Minister said that when the powers of states were eroded or central agencies interfered in areas falling within the states' domain, federalism was weakened. He cited education and health as areas where states traditionally had an important role and said that national-level examinations for national institutions were legitimate, while state institutions should retain the right to conduct their own examinations and admissions.
He also stressed the importance of restoring public trust in recruitment and admission processes at the centre, saying that while it takes only moments to lose trust in a system, rebuilding it requires 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.
Tributes to Martyrs, People Who Resisted Tribal Invasion
The chief minister paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country and recalled the contribution of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, who fought against tribal raiders and infiltrators in 1947, even before the Indian Army reached the region.
Remembering the late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, whom he described as the tallest leader of Jammu & Kashmir and the "Baba-e-Qaum", he said the contribution of the people of J&K to defending the region could not be forgotten while reflecting on Independence Day.
Referring to the situation across the Line of Control, he said that looking at the circumstances there today reinforced his belief that the decision taken by the leaders of Jammu & Kashmir 80 years ago was the right one.
He recalled the sacrifice of brave people who raised the call of "Hamlavar Khabardar; Hum Kashmiri Hain, Tayyaar" and those who made the supreme sacrifice in resisting the tribal invasion.
The chief minister particularly remembered Master Abdul Aziz, a National Conference leader who was killed in Muzaffarabad while resisting the tribal attack.
Referring to the part of Jammu & Kashmir under Pakistan's occupation, he said the people living there were not strangers but part of the same land and people of Jammu & Kashmir.
"We consider those people our own, not strangers," he said, adding that the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly continued to keep seats vacant for them in the hope that one day the people of that part of J&K would be able to occupy those seats.
The chief minister said that the sacrifices made by the people of Jammu & Kashmir eight decades ago continued to hold relevance and that their aspirations had to be honoured through peace, development, democracy and justice.
Calling for continuous engagement between the government and the people, the chief minister said governance could be meaningful only when the government remained connected with the aspirations and expectations of the people.
He said the government had the responsibility to work and the opposition had the responsibility to question and hold the government accountable inside and outside the Legislative Assembly, while the media had an important role in questioning both.
He said the government had been working for almost 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.
CM Skips Reading Official Speech, Lists Achievements
The chief minister chose not to read out the official speech and the list of achievements of his government, saying that they should be deemed to have been read.
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.
The Chief Minister also inspected the parade and took the salute at an impressive march-past by contingents comprising J&K Police, security forces and school students, besides the brass and pipe bands of the J&K Police and schools.
Several cultural programmes showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir were also presented on the occasion, drawing applause from the chief guest and the audience.
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.
The chief minister also presented awards to outstanding officers and employees in recognition of their contribution to public service.
The Chief Minister also gave away prizes to students, members of the police, paramilitary forces, the J&K Sports Council and artists from the Cultural Academy for their performances, which were evaluated by a jury present on the occasion.
