Srinagar, Aug 13 (KNS): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V.K. Bidhuri, on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir has moved past the era when shopkeepers and students followed shutdown calls and schedules dictated by “someone else’s calendar”, and is now firmly on its own course, with schools and markets operating according to official plans and the people’s needs.

Speaking at the full-dress rehearsal for Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, Bidhuri said this transformation was made possible by the sacrifices of security forces and the resilience of citizens. “We have achieved the freedom to make decisions according to our own independence,” he said, adding that the administration was determined to protect and build on this progress.

The Divisional Commissioner said peace and security in the Valley had allowed significant improvements in connectivity.

He cited the upcoming rail link connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari, all-weather road access via the Sadhna Pass and Pir Ki Gali, and the development of the Mughal Road as examples of enhanced mobility for trade, tourism and local communities.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Bidhuri also pointed to the rapid pace of development projects, improved power supply, better infrastructure, and the opening up of new opportunities in education and employment.

He said that this progress was not the work of the administration alone but the result of collective will, calling on people to continue supporting peace and stability.

Speaking on the significance of August 15, Bidhuri urged the public to celebrate Independence Day with enthusiasm, saying it was not just an official function but “a people’s festival of freedom”.

He said the day should be marked with pride and unity, symbolising Jammu and Kashmir’s resolve to move forward on its own terms.(KNS)