• Says 21st century belongs to india
• Calls Tiranga ‘living embodiment’ of national consciousness and pride
• Urges people to carry Tricolour values into thoughts, character and actions
• Veer Naris, war heroes honoured; Har Ghar Tiranga exhibition inaugurated
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday joined the Tiranga Yatra in Srinagar and called upon people to contribute towards building a prosperous, secure and united Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the 21st century belongs to India.
Addressing citizens after participating in the Yatra, Sinha said the Tricolour represents the country’s collective consciousness, pride and unity, while the confluence of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and the 150th anniversary celebrations of the national song Vande Mataram marks the beginning of a new era.
The event witnessed participation of people from different sections of society, senior civil and police officials, security forces personnel and a large number of youth.
“On this sacred soil, the Tricolour is flying high as India’s living conscience and Vande Mataram echoes as its immortal voice. It embodies our shared strength, unity, and unwavering patriotism,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha said the Tiranga Yatra in Kashmir Valley sends a clear message that India must continue to move forward and never stop.
Recalling the launch of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in 2022 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said its objective was to rekindle a sense of closeness, respect and emotional connection with the national flag among citizens.
“When the Tiranga flutters simultaneously on millions of homes, 140 crore Indians’ hearts beat as one in a single sentiment, a single faith, a single resolve,” he said.
According to Sinha, the Tiranga Yatra has now evolved beyond a campaign into a “festival of people’s consciousness”, a tradition of patriotism and a cultural value connecting citizens with the motherland.
He congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga and Vande Mataram campaigns, saying their enthusiasm had become a source of inspiration for the entire country.
“The Tiranga is the soul of our nation and ‘Vande Mataram’ is the immortal voice of that soul,” Sinha said.
He urged citizens to reflect on their individual contribution towards building the India envisioned by the country’s forefathers and said the responsibility of defending the nation today extends beyond the battlefield.
“While martyrs defended the nation with their blood, today’s generation must defend it with character, honesty, hard work, unity, and service,” he said.
Sinha said the convergence of the two campaigns was not merely the meeting of two programmes but represented the announcement of a new era.
He envisioned a Jammu and Kashmir that is confident, economically strong and firmly moving towards the future, with patriotism and national unity reflected in everyday life.
“This is the symbol of a Jammu Kashmir filled with self-confidence and marching firmly toward the future where ‘Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara’ is a life’s resolve in every citizen’s heart, where every home is a centre of patriotism and where every heart beats in rhythm with the pulse of national unity,” he said.
Calling upon people to take collective as well as personal responsibility for the future of Jammu and Kashmir and India, the Lieutenant Governor said the Tricolour should not merely fly over homes but should also be reflected in citizens’ thoughts, character and actions.
He urged people to ensure that the spirit of Vande Mataram is reflected in every action, decision and responsibility.
Sinha called for a collective pledge to honour the sacrifices of the country’s heroes by building a nation that is prosperous, secure and just and provides equal opportunities to all citizens.
“We should work together to realize the vision of a Jammu Kashmir where the three colours of the Tiranga are visible in the values of life,” he said.
He further stressed the need to build a Jammu and Kashmir that is economically strong and takes pride in Indian culture, civilisation and spiritual values.
“The future is ours. This century belongs to India. This is the era of India’s self-confidence, its courage, and its immortal national consciousness,” Sinha said.
During the programme, the Lieutenant Governor honoured Veer Naris and war heroes in recognition of their sacrifices and contribution to the nation.
He also inaugurated the Har Ghar Tiranga Exhibition and felicitated nodal officers associated with the Vande Mataram campaign.
The celebrations included the screening of a special documentary prepared by the Department of Culture, highlighting the significance of the national movement and the campaigns. The programme concluded with a Tiranga concert in which artists paid musical tribute to the country’s bravehearts.
Justice Rahul Bharti, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Chairperson J&K Waqf Board Dr Darakhshan Andrabi were among those present.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Department Shaleen Kabra and Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma also participated in the event.
Senior officials of the civil administration, police and security forces, along with people from different walks of life and a large number of youth, joined the Tiranga Yatra in Srinagar.
