I-Day: Low-key celebrations amidst COVID-19, eyes on Sinha’s address

JAMMU: Limited attendance, shortened cultural presentations, technological interventions with focus on e-celebrations will mark this Independence Day in Jammu and Kashmir, which in view of the Coronavirus pandemic is likely to remain a low-key affair just like in other parts of the country, even as the customary message from the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is expected to outline the future political plans for the union territory.
While the Independence Day last year coming days after the August 5 reorganisation of the erstwhile State, witnessed unprecedented security arrangements, this year the Covid-19 outbreak has kept the entire administration on its toes.

 LEDs, projectors to broadcast live celebrations
 50% seating capacity, no student participation
 Rapid Antigen Tests for all participants today
 Thermal scanners, masks, sanitisers at entrance
 Cultural programme by local artists restricted

This year’s Independence Day celebration will miss out on participation from students and vulnerable persons, while only 50% seats will be occupied at the respective venues to maintain social distancing, with government focusing on technological interventions toward e-celebrations, including screening the recorded cultural performances through specially-installed LED screens and projectors at all historic places of Jammu & Kashmir, simultaneously.
All participants of celebrations would undergo Rapid Antigen Tests before the functions while thermal screening at all entry points of the celebration venues would be ensured, where face masks and hand sanitisers would also be provided.
Across the districts, the administration will extend special invitations to doctors, nurses, police personnel, sanitation workers and recovered COVID patients, besides honouring the COVID warriors who have done exemplary work especially during pandemic period with certificates and prizes.
“A full dress rehearsal for the main function will be held on Thursday, across the district headquarters and other venues across the union territory. This year, the theme of celebrations will be ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, a senior officer informed The News Now.
“While Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will hoist the national flag at the main function to be held in summer capital Srinagar, one of his advisors will preside over the function in winter capital where the venue will be Parade Ground,” he said. Last year, Advisor Farooq Khan had hoisted the national flag in Jammu.
The leadership change in UT seeing senior BJP leader Manoj Sinha as the new LG has raised expectations on resumption of some political activity in the region, and his address to the public on the eve of I-Day is likely to show some early signs of the same.
Soon after taking oath on August 7, Sinha flew to New Delhi, where he met President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Dr Jitendra Singh, besides last Governor of J&K, Satyapal Malik and discussed the roadmap ahead, before returning to the UT.
Some of the future plans of Centre for Jammu and Kashmir will reflect in Sinha’s I-Day speech, many believe.
Meanwhile, antigen testing will be conducted on all those participating in march past parades, on August 13 for their safe participation in full day rehearsal and final day functions,” he said, adding that contingents of J&K Police, Armed, CRPF, Lady Contingents, Home Guard, Fire & Emergency Services and Forest Protection Force would participate in the march past.
The participation from students and vulnerable persons will be restricted and they may their participation through a digital platform, it was informed.
“Keeping in view the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration will intrinsically include preventive measures such as maintaining social distance, wearing masks, proper sanitization and allowing only limited congregations,” another officer said.
5-10 locations have been identified and LED screens are being installed at these public places in the twin capital cities as well as in other district headquarters, to ensure live telecasting of functions for wide publicity.
The Health department will deploy their employees with thermal guns at all entry points as mandatory for Covid-19 containment, while concerned CMOs have been asked to provide for sanitizers, and masks for the invitees as well.
To further contain the risk, the cultural programme by local artists would be restricted to 2 to 3 items with limited number of participants.
Jammu and Kashmir is not the only part of the country to witness this unprecedented Independence Day celebration this year, as every State and UT has put in restrictions on the celebrations in view of the Covid-19.
In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will mark the start of Independence Day celebrations at New Delhi's Red Fort, will receive a guard of honour by three branches of the military - the Army, the Air Force and the Navy - with only 22 soldiers and officers to take part.
A further 32 soldiers and officers will take part in the national salute, while 350 Delhi Police personnel will also be present. During the ceremony all soldiers will stand in four lines and follow social distancing.
Similarly, another big change this year will be the absence of school children in the foreground. In previous years there used to be around 3,500 children. Only 500 NCC (National Cadet Corps) members will be allowed, who too will have to maintain a distance of six feet from each other.
The number of guests invited to the ceremony has also been drastically reduced, with only 120 in total - 60 on each side of the ramparts. In earlier years there used to be between 300 and 500 guests.