For the first time in over a hundred years the Indian national flag has been raised atop the Islamia Faridiya School in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar area. The national flag replaces the Islamic flag a top of the school building on the eve of two days annual day function at the institution named after 17th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Shah Mohammad Fareed Ud Din Baghdadi.

The commemorative function was attended by the Chairperson of the Waqf Board of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Daraksha Indrabi, DDC Chairperson Kishtwar Pooja Thakur, Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, leaders of banned Jamat e Islami, DDC members, ex-administrator Auqaf Islamia Kishtwar and others.

A day earlier the Indian Army had on Sunday established a flag post at a government school in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir under ‘Operation Sadbhavna’. According to a spokesperson, this was a part of the initiative by Chinar Air Defence Brigade wherein construction of national flag posts in 10 government schools in far flung areas of Budgam district in central Kashmir is planned.

Officials said that 130 AD Regiment of Chinar Air Defence Brigade established a flag post at government school had undertaken the initiative in line with the Union government’s policy of establishing national symbols across government buildings.

Earlier on Saturday Union Minister Jitendra Singh had said said that Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar would become a major power hub after the completion of the ongoing power projects. The lawmaker had held a meeting with the Chairman and Managing Director of the National Hydro Project Corporation AK Singh, and discussions were held regarding ongoing projects of NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir and prospects of future business development.