London: London based students and professionals from Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC) celebrated November 1st, the Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan here in the Central London in order to commemorate the efforts and sacrifices of the local people who liberated the land from the Dogra Rule. Also, it was an effort to promote awareness about GBC region to national and international audience as the GB region has always held a unique status because of its strategic, economic and cultural value but at the same time it has remained ignored and the people are still waiting to get the constitutional rights.
A group of journalists, professionals and civil society members joined the celebration and highly appreciated the students’ initiative to engage the community in London. Traditional dance performances, music and poetry from the region were presented to highlight the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. Through this, an attempt was made to draw special attention to the preservation of endangered languages and other indigenous rituals and festivals in GBC which has been a great source of a positive image of
Pakistan in the world.
The students utilized the opportunity of Independence Day celebration to discuss history, socio-political and economic development, cultural and linguistic diversity along with the existing problems of the region. Students focused on the issues of GB ranging from identity, political and constitutional rights to education and healthcare etc. GB’s due share in CPEC and promotion of tourism industry was highlighted too. In addition, students reaffirmed their role as ambassadors of
Pakistan in general and GBC in particular as students from GBC have been actively participating in presenting a soft and positive image of
Pakistan around the globe.
The event concluded with the hope and determination that the people of GBC will be continuing to contribute for a democratic,tolerant, peaceful, progressive, and better Pakistan
http://www.dardistantimes.com/featu...ltistan-independence-day-celebrated-london-uk
Indeed every kashmiri and GB native and every pakistani is proud of the effort and the sacrifices the region gave to free themselves of the monsters of Dogra.
@WAJsal @shimshali @Zibago @django @Jonah Arthur