78th Independence Day celebrations: Tricolour hoisted at 12,000 feet in Sinthan Top

Anantnag, Aug 15: The Sub-Divisional Administration Kokernag hoisted the Tricolour for the first time at 12,000 feet above sea level at Sinthan Top—a popular tourist destination—on Thursday as the nation celebrated Independence Day.
Suheel Ahmad, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kokernag, said that hoisting the national flag at the highest point in Kokernag, which connects to Kishtwar on the other side, had been a long-pending dream.
He said that despite inclement weather and fast-moving winds, the administration successfully hoisted the flag for the first time on August 15th—Independence Day at Sinthan Top.
“I was accompanied by all the Sub-Divisional administration officers, including Syed Muiz Qadr, Tehsildar Larnoo; Sheikh Ansar, Tehsildar Kokernag; BDO Larnoo and others. We have now permanently erected a rostrum for the flag, and it will fly year-round,” he said.
The SDM added that the Anantnag administration had aspired to place a flag at Sinthan Top, a goal achieved on this Independence Day.
“It is heartening to see people embracing the August 15 celebrations. The administration is grateful to those who joined in for the flag hoisting at Sinthan Top,” he said.
The SDM also said that the administration is working to ensure basic amenities are available at Sinthan Top and other spots in Kokernag and to bring these spots onto the global tourism map. He said, “plans are underway to set up mobile toilets and cafes at Sinthan to ensure tourists do not face any inconvenience.”
“The issue of low mobile connectivity en route to Sinthan has come to our notice. We have taken it up with telecom companies and are hopeful for a positive outcome,” he added.
Syed Muiz Qadri, Tehsildar Larnoo, said that Sinthan Top has attracted a significant number of tourists this year, and that it deserves a place on the global tourism map, with careful attention to environmental ecology.
He added that the flag hoisting, with plans to keep it flying year-round, was intended to spread the spirit of nationalism to every nook and corner. “The flag is a symbol of unity and the vibrant spirit of a billion hearts,” he said.