festive-look-at-iconic-lal-chowk-with-independence-day-fervour

 

Even as the 80^th Independence Day was celebrated across Kashmir with zeal and fervor, it is the iconic Lal Chowk which became centre of attraction yet again as it wore a festive look on Saturday while hundreds of tourists celebrated the day in front of the famous Clock Tower.

 

A huge number of visitors thronged the crossing in Srinagar — the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.  Lal Chowk, which was used in the past as the prominent site for only protests,  was swept in tricolours on Saturday.Not only the locals thronged the iconic place, but tourists in hordes converged to celebrate the Independence Day with hues of patriotism.

 

Netra Gurjar, a first-time tourist from Mumbai, said she was not wrong to visit the spot.“It is my first time visiting Kashmir. We have been in Kashmir for seven days. It is our first time here (in Lal Chowk). And if you look at it, it is the first time we are celebrating Independence Day somewhere,” she told PTI Videos.Gurjar said the family wanted to experience the atmosphere at Lal Chowk and they were not disappointed.

 

 

“Kashmir has changed a lot from what it was before. Before coming here, we were also scared. But, after coming here, all fear has vanished. It is safe. It is good. The infrastructure is very good,” said Gurjar, adding that her eyes were welling up.

“Coming to this Lal Chowk, where Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the flag, was a dream for us. If we come to Kashmir, we must come to Lal Chowk,”  said another tourist from Pune.

 

 

As shouts of ‘Vande Mataram’ reverberated in the air, Sheikh said she could not feel any prouder.“Vande Mataram comes from within, saying this is my country, this is my nation, and this is my pride.“We are Indians, we will remain Indians, and we will be buried in India itself. So we shouldn’t even be called Pakistanis. We are Indians. And we proudly say that we are Indians,” she said.

 

 

Authorities made elaborate arrangements, complete with selfie points, for the people to celebrate the day. Many tourists were seencarrying the tricolour in one hand and other accessories that were used in the celebrations.  The atmosphere here is energetic and enthusiastic, and it feels good to be at Lal Chowk,  was the feeling unequivocally expressed by them.