Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula convened a review meeting for the 74th Independence Day celebration arrangements on July 24 at UT Secretariat.

Advisor Narula stressed that Independence Day will be celebrated strictly adhering to the Covid-19 protocols and directed the concerned officials to ensure that arrangements are made accordingly. It was decided that attendance for the event would be only by invitation because of COVID restrictions. The event would however be a webcast so that people could view the ceremony from their homes.

The Advisor requested the cooperation of the people of Ladakh and all stakeholders in this regard.

Advisor Narula shared that the illumination of government offices and buildings including Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi & Chandigarh, facilitation of band concert at different places of the UT, extension of an invitation to 25 Covid warriors are some of the additional features for Independence Day celebrations as per the instructions of the Govt. of India. Besides, there would be a flypast on the occasion by the IAF.

The meeting discussed the various aspects of arrangements such as the venue of the function, programme, including flag hoisting, speeches, marching contingent and band, cultural performances, creation of pavilion, security arrangement, illumination of government offices and buildings, refreshments, public address system, preparation of invitation cards, seating arrangements and decoration, traffic arrangements, air show by Indian Air Force and setting up of control room.

He also assigned arrangement responsibilities to various departments and committees as per the work requirements and instructed the concerned HODs to undertake the responsibility efficiently.

Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner/Secretary, GAD; Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh; B S Tuti, Deputy Inspector General, Ladakh Police; Padma Angmo, Secretary, Information and Public Relations; Mehboob Ali, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Ravinder Kumar, Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, and Srikant Suse, Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Head of Departments and other concerned officials from both Leh and Kargil attended the meeting.