Preparatory meeting for the Independence Day celebration was convened by Advisor, Umang Narula with all the officials of Union Territory of Ladakh at the DC office conference hall on July 27.

Keeping in view the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Independence day will be celebrated in a distinct manner and as per guidelines/advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Umang Narula said that while organizing various programmes and activities, it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, proper sanitization, avoiding large congregations, protecting vulnerable persons, etc. The congregations at the programme shall be small and participation shall be only by invitation. For the general public, the programme will be webcast.
 
Only limited programmes will be performed which includes unfurling of National flag, playing of National Anthem and presentation of Guard of honor by the Ladakh police, etc. The traditional March-past by armed forces, NCC contingent & student, cultural show, and prize distribution ceremony will not take place given the precautions to be observed. 

Umang Narula assigned various responsibilities to departments and committees and instructed the concerned HODs to undertake the responsibility efficiently.

Commissioner Secretary GAD, Rigzin Samphel; Inspector General of Police, S.S Khandare; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; Chief Conservator of Forest, Preet Pal Singh; Secretary, Rural Development, Ravinder Kumar; Representative of Defence, Air force, and HODs of concerned departments attended the meeting. Secretary/Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh, Saugat Biswas; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Basser Ul-Haq Choudhary, and HODs of Kargil district attended the meeting over video conference.