STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Member of Parliament, Chief whip in Rajya Sabha, BJP National Vice President and J and K Prabhari, Avinaash Rai Khanna, through a notice under Rule 180(A), has urged upon the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, to mention a matter of urgent public importance in the house on holding of Parade and Flag Ceremony at Suchetgarh border in J and K.
Through the notice, Avinash Rai Khanna mentioned that Beating Retreat, Border Parade and flag ceremony at the international border symbolizes the brotherhood and cooperation between two countries. They are also helpful in instilling the feeling of patriotism among the citizens. At the Wagah border near Amritsar in Punjab, many Indians and International tourists come every evening to witness the parade ceremony.
Khanna further said that the same model can be replicated at various borders which India shares with neighbours. “Here I want to highlight the need for such a parade ceremony at Suchetgarh international border in Jammu and Kashmir”, Khanna said and added that this border needs to be developed as a tourist destination on the pattern of popular Wagah border.
The notice also mentioned that Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation has complete infrastructure to handle tourists coming to Suchetgarh and has spent a lot of money on facilities for tourists but no initiative has been taken to promote it. The holding of ceremony would lead to increase in number of tourists visiting the area resulting in more revenue and employment opportunities for the local communities and people and would increase patriotism among the visitors.
Avinash Rai Khanna made a request to the Government to kindly make arrangements in consultation with Border Security Force and Government of Pakistan to hold parade ceremony at Suchetgarh International Border everyday on the pattern of Wagah Border in Amritsar so that it may become a centre of attraction for the tourists visiting the State. It is also requested that needed funds may be sanctioned for the development of the area as a tourist destination and for holding the parade ceremony.