In a bid to celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day with fervour, the Government officials of Jammu and Kashmir have been directed to update their social media display pictures (DPs) with selfies featuring images of the Indian flag, soil, and an earthen lamp (Jhanda, Mitti, and Diya).
This decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, where preparations for Independence Day-2023 were reviewed.
The directive is applicable to various officials and departments, including Administrative Secretaries, Information Department, Divisional Commissioners for both Kashmir and Jammu, Deputy Commissioners (DCs), and Heads of the Departments (HODs).
The main celebrations are set to take place at two prominent locations: the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Sonawar, Srinagar, and the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.
“All government officers and public at large will hoist tricolour over their houses. However, it should be ensured that the flag is hoisted in an appropriate and befitting manner having due regard to the flag code,” reads the official document.
The Inspector General (IG) Traffic has been assigned the crucial responsibility of planning appropriate routes and parking arrangements for the main events in Srinagar and Jammu, ensuring smooth traffic flow and organized gatherings.
All government buildings, offices, schools, colleges, universities, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), panchayats, blocks, tehsils, and patwar khanas will be adorned with decorative lights and the national flag of India.
Videos of these celebrations are to be shared with the respective Divisional Commissioners, and the Information Department has been tasked with creating awareness among all stakeholders regarding the appropriate way to hoist the national flag in adherence to the flag code.
Moreover, government employees are expected to actively participate in the celebrations, and taking leave on this day is discouraged unless under exceptional circumstances, as emphasized in the official order.
