Inauguration of J&K UT on Oct 31 in Srinagar

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 12

The new UT of Jammu and Kashmir will be inaugurated in Srinagar on October 31 to “celebrate the historic moment” of complete integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country as a sequel to the August 5 announcement of reorganisation of the state.

Sources said the main function will be held at the Civil Secretariat. Governor Satya Pal Malik will hoist the Tricolour to mark the occasion. The significance of holding the function in Srinagar, the summer capital, despite the fact that by that time the ‘Darbar (seat of the government)’ would have shifted to the winter capital of Jammu, is to highlight Kashmir’s integration with the rest of the India. 

Srinagar has been chosen for its national importance and also to convey the message globally that Kashmir is as much a part of India as any other territory. Sources said a gala event had been planned at the Statue of Unity of Sardar Patel to underscore the fact that the dream of first Home Minister of a unified India had been fulfilled.