The iconic 'Clock tower' located in the heart of Srinagar at Lal Chowk, which mostly remained out of bounds especially for those interested in unfurling the national flag during Republic day and Independence day celebrations during trouble-torn years, has now been illuminated with 'Colors of India' by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in the run up to the 75th Independence day celebrations.
The Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Junaid Azim Mattu was the first to post images of the illuminated clock tower on his twitter timeline. “We have illuminated the Clock Tower (‘Ghanta Ghar’) at Lal Chowk in colors of the Tricolour ahead of Independence Day. New clocks fitted”, tweeted Mattu.
Netizens celebrated the decision to illuminate and congratulated the Mayor of Srinagar.
The same has now become the hot-spot for tourists and local visitors as they can be seen posing for a selfie and family pix in front of the illuminated clock tower during late evening stroll in the area.
Another tourist landmark in the capital city, popularly known as ' Zero bridge', has also been lit up in the same color scheme to attract visitors during the week-long celebrations marking the I-day celebrations.
The historic Lal Chowk has witnessed many historic events and political gatherings in the past.
Top leaders of the country including former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, founding president of the National Conference Sheikh Mohd Abdullah have made historic speeches in front of thousands of local residents.
In 1992, former BJP Chief Murli Manohar Joshi unfurled the National Flag at the culmination of Ekta Yatra launched by him in December 1991 from Kanyakumari. He was accompanied by Madan Lal Khurana,Prof Chaman Lal Gupta and Narendra Modi at the time of the brief ceremony under tight security arrangements.
At the peak of militancy the clock tower was vandalised by the terrorists and their separatist sympathisers by way of hoisting Pakistani flags to taunt Indian security forces and provoke them to create law and order disturbances. During National festivals, the security forces would unfurl the National flag but the same practice too was stopped in 2009.
Lal Chowk also hogged the headlines on various occasions like “Lal Chowk chalo march” called by separatists, particularly during the summer unrest in 2008 and 2010.
It again became the focal point in 2011 when the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha planned “Rashtriya Ekta Yatra” to unfurl the national flag at Clock Tower on Republic Day.
The event did not take place although some activists managed to hoist the national flag near Clock Tower.
Meanwhile, to attract local youth from Srinagar the UT administration had also organised a cyclothon event 'Pedal for Dal'.
The cyclothon turned out to be a major hit. More than 200 boys and girls from different age groups, along with professional cyclists participated and completed the run in the backdrop of picturesque Zabarwan hills .
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that the young generation has a huge responsibility to ensure peace, prosperity and unity of the nation.A large number of youth participating in the events commemorating the historical occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence will send a message across the world that J&K has ushered into the era of sustained peace and progress, he added.
Activities like ‘Pedal for Dal' mark the celebrations of 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' and also gives hope to the entire humanity, a hope of a prosperous future while instilling the spirit of our cultural and patriotic ethos among the citizens, the Lt Governor said.