SRINAGAR (Azat TV) – Athar Aamir Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Kulgam, took a prominent role in the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Kulgam, Kashmir, on January 26, 2026. The day was marked by immense enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across the entire Kashmir division, with Mr. Khan unfurling the National Flag and addressing citizens on the district’s significant developmental achievements and the enduring values of India’s Constitution.
Kulgam’s Observance and DC Khan’s Address
The main function in Kulgam was held at the District Police Lines (DPL), where Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at an impressive March Past. Contingents from the CRPF, J&K Police, IRP, JKP Women Contingent, Police Band, Home Guards, NCC cadets, and students participated in the parade, showcasing discipline and national pride. The event saw a large gathering of enthusiastic citizens, alongside SSP Kulgam Anayat Ali Choudhary, DDC members, and senior officers from the civil and police administration.
In his address, Mr. Khan paid rich tributes to the architects of the Constitution and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He highlighted the significant developmental strides made across various sectors in Kulgam, aimed at the holistic development of the district. Later in the day, Deputy Commissioner Khan also unfurled the National Flag at the Mini Secretariat, Kulgam, further reinforcing the day’s solemnity and significance. Colourful cultural programmes by students and local artists, including patriotic songs and skits, added vibrancy to the celebrations, captivating the audience. Awards were also presented to officers, officials, students, and other prominent individuals in recognition of their excellence across various fields, culminating in a mass singing of the ‘Vande Mataram’ National Song.
Widespread Patriotic Fervour Across Kashmir Division
Beyond Kulgam, the 77th Republic Day was celebrated with similar zeal and widespread public participation across all districts of the Kashmir division. From Budgam to Bandipora, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Shopian, district-level functions featured flag unfurling ceremonies, ceremonial parades, and cultural events, underscoring a unified spirit of patriotism and national pride.
In Budgam, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat unfurled the National Flag at the Sports Stadium, paying tribute to freedom fighters and deliberating on the district’s ongoing development. He lauded the completion of the State of the Art District Hospital Budgam and numerous Public Health Centres, along with extensive road connectivity projects under the R&B sector. Similarly, in Bandipora, Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC), Abdul Gani Bhat, led the main function at S.K. Stadium, inspecting a parade comprising diverse contingents and highlighting the district’s developmental progress in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Pulwama witnessed a grand celebration at the District Police Lines, where DDC Chairperson Syed Abdul Bari Andrabi unfurled the National Flag, symbolizing the district’s unwavering commitment to constitutional ideals. The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Basharat Qayoom, SSP Pulwama Tanushree, and a broad spectrum of civil society members, including families of martyrs. Ganderbal’s Qamaria Stadium hosted DDC Chairperson Nuzhat Ishfaq, who emphasized the historical significance of January 26 and outlined major developmental achievements, linking them to the themes of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Commitment to Development and Democratic Values
Officials across the Kashmir division consistently highlighted the region’s commitment to inclusive growth and transparent governance. Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, underscored the importance of unity, peace, and inclusive development, urging citizens to uphold democratic values. DDC Chairperson Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori, and DDC Chairperson Shopian, Bilqees Jan, also presided over vibrant celebrations in their respective districts, featuring marching contingents and cultural showcases that reflected local achievements and welfare schemes.
The ceremonies uniformly served as platforms to reaffirm administrative commitments towards improving public service delivery and fostering citizen participation in government initiatives. The widespread nature of these celebrations, from district headquarters to sub-division, tehsil, and even panchayat levels, demonstrated a deeply rooted connection to national symbols and democratic principles, signifying a collective push towards progress and stability in the region.
The widespread and enthusiastic observance of the 77th Republic Day across the Kashmir division, with key officials like Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan leading local functions, reflects a concerted effort to integrate the region more fully into the national narrative of progress and constitutional adherence, emphasizing both historical reverence and future-oriented development.