Bandipora, January 26: The Locals and Indian Army jointly celebrated Republic Day celebrations in Kanzalwan Village near Line of Control (LoC) in snowbound Gurez Valley on Wednesday.
According to the reports the 73rd Republic Day Celebrations were jointly carried out at Kanzalwan with coordinated efforts of Panchayat, Army, SKAUST along with locals.
Officials said the Flag hoisting was carried out by Sarpanch Izmarg village followed by singing of the National Anthem by all people present including children. Sarpanch Izmarg village invoked patriotism in his address to the villagers present and also thanked all villagers for making the event a grand success.
A cultural event was also organised wherein the children of Izmarg Higher Secondary School and Kanzalwan High School performed patriotic songs and local traditional dance. Commanding Officer 36 Rashtriya Rifles distributed prizes to first and second winner of online poem competition and patriotic song competition conducted in a week long event organised by the army to celebrate Republic Day in this region. Moreover, the Young Woman achiever’s were also felicitated by Commanding Officer.
Ex Service Men were felicitated for their service towards Nation. The army to inculcate an additional skill in the children of the area donated musical instruments to Kanzalwan Primary School.
Officials said widows of the area were were provided with financial assistance while the army also distributed three sewing machines to Izmarg and Koragbal village ladies as part of an endeavour make the women of the area more self sufficient. Culmination of the event was "Ganatantra ke Pakwan", a communal lunch.
Spokesperson said the aim of celebrating the 73rd Republic Day amidst areas blanketed by snow was to I still the spirit of nationalism among the civilians and increase the bonhomie between the army and the local populace.
