The Indian Army put up a 100-foot-tall national flag on Thursday in the hilly Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. A senior officer said that the project was a fitting way to honour the many soldiers who died for the country.
This was the second time the Army put up a flag like this on a high mast in the Chenab valley. This area used to be a hotbed of terrorism, but it has been clean for over a decade.
In July last year, a 100-foot-high national flag was installed in the nearby Kishtwar town.
General Officer Commanding of the Army’s Delta Force Maj Gen Ajay Kumar unfurled the tallest flagpole at the Doda sports stadium along with the commander, Sector 9, Rashtriya Rifles, Brig Samir K Palande, Doda Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan and Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom.
Maj. Gen. Kumar honoured the families of soldiers who died in the service of the country. He also gave awards to members of civil society who have done a lot for the country.
The GOC said, “The tallest flag is a tribute to the many soldiers of the Chenab valley region who gave their lives to protect the unity and integrity of the country.”
He said that the 100-foot-tall national flag was the first of its kind in Doda and was a proud moment not only for the Army but for everyone in the hilly district.
“The national flag, which can be seen from a long distance, will make every citizen feel pride for the country,’ Maj Gen Kumar said.
The flag adds to the beauty and health of the hills of Doda, where it is located.
‘The feeling of the iconic national flag which is standing tall and beautiful cannot be expressed in words but surely this is making every citizen of India swelling with pride. This will go a long way towards making the people of Doda, especially the younger ones, feel like they belong to their country, Mahajan said.
People from the area, especially students and “Veer Naris” (war widows) who had come in large numbers to see the event, thanked the Army.
“The Army made us feel proud of my late husband’s accomplishments by inviting us to this event. This is the beauty of our Army that they never forget the sacrifices of the soldiers and their families,’ said Chinta Devi, wife of the most decorated soldier in the history of Indian Army Naib Subedar Chunni Lal.
Naib Subedar Lal, who died fighting terrorists who were trying to sneak through the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on June 24, 2007, gave his life for his country. He was awarded the Ashok Chakra (after his death), the Vir Chakra, and the Sena Medal.
A student from Doda named Simran Sharma, who is 14 years old, said she feels lucky to be a part of this important event.
“I am also grateful to the Army for letting me perform on this historic occasion. The girl in the group that performed at the event said, “This feeling of pride will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Tahir Farooq, a student at Government Degree College in Doda, said that the installation of the big flag makes him feel proud because he remembers when there were no national flags anywhere because of terrorism.
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