Srinagar: Traditionally known for its political significance, the iconic Lal Chowk (Red Square), the commercial hub of Srinagar, turned into a vibrant hub of New Year celebrations on Sunday night.
Local artists decorated the square with colorful installations symbolizing unity and hope. As the clock approached midnight, a diverse crowd gathered, smiling and sharing stories across the cultural divide.
Amidst the bone-chilling temperatures, the local people as well as tourists visiting Kashmir attended the function and were extremely excited about the function at the famous Clock Tower in the heart of Srinagar city.
People were seen singing and dancing to the tunes of Bollywood songs at Lal Chowk, which was given a major facelift ahead of the G20 summit last year.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner and Srinagar Smart City CEO Athar Aamir Khan described the occasion as something the city has never seen before.
The Clock Tower stands witness to the troubled political history of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 and has also witnessed a lot of bloodshed and violence since 1990. Later several politicians gave fiery and emotional speeches at the clock tower, some hoisting Indian or Indian flags. Pakistan will give political statement
Since the outbreak of insurgency in 1990, Lal Chowk had become a psychological battlefield between the separatists and the government. During the unrest of the summers of 2008 and 2010, separatists often called for marches towards Lal Chowk.
On some occasions, the separatists were also successful in hoisting the Pakistani flag on the clock tower, while at times police and security forces had to barricade the area to stop people marching towards Lal Chowk. Since 2019, many people and organizations have been unveiling the tricolor at the clock tower.
The unconventional celebration at Lal Chowk on December 31, 2023 not only marked the beginning of a new year but also symbolized a collective commitment to the pursuit of harmony, diversity and peaceful co-existence in the region.
