Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), presided over the 78th Independence Day celebrations at Polo Ground. The event featured the hoisting of the National Flag, a parade inspection, and salutes to contingents including the Armed Forces and school participants.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor greeted the people of Ladakh on the occasion of India's 78th Independence Day and extended his gratitude to the armed forces, paramilitary forces, police personnel, and civil administration for their dedication. He urged the citizens of Ladakh to commit to the Fundamental Duties outlined in the Indian Constitution.

The Lieutenant Governor outlined his vision for Ladakh's development, focusing on five key areas: ensuring future generations have access to clean drinking water, creating new administrative units to reduce travel distances for citizens, making Ladakh financially self-reliant through initiatives like the 13 GW solar power project, empowering women through Self-Help Groups and promoting handloom and handicraft work, and improving the disaster management system for swift emergency response.

He called for the cooperation of Ladakh’s residents to achieve these goals and emphasized his commitment to reducing corruption and delays. He has issued strict directives for IT Administration officials to engage with the public regularly and address grievances effectively. The Lieutenant Governor urged the people to unite in making Ladakh the most developed Union Territory in the country.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the UT Administration with the support of both Hill Councils, including advancements in education, sports, health, tourism, agriculture, environmental protection, disaster management, water conservation, connectivity, and social welfare. He announced the constitution of the Ladakh Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Board to expedite recruitment for non-gazetted posts and the filling of gazetted posts through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), with age relaxation for Ladakhi youth.

During the celebration, the Lieutenant Governor saluted the parade, which featured contingents from the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Ladakh Police, IRP 25 Battalion, Ladakh Police Commando, Ex-Servicemen, National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys/Girls, and various schools. The GN National Public School won the prize for the best marching contingent, with Moravian Mission School and Mahabodhi Residential School, Choglamsar, placing second and third, respectively. Druk Padma Karpo School, Shey, took first place in cultural performances, followed by Ladakh Rigjung Public School and Sindh Public School in second and third places.

The Ladakh Police's Dog/Canine Squad demonstrated a drill, and students and cultural troupes from Leh and Kargil performed traditional dances. Artists from Kashmir and the Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (LAACL) also contributed to the celebration.

The event was attended by Chairman of LAHDC Leh,  Tashi Gyalson; Executive Councillors/Councillors from LAHDC Leh; Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS; ADGP Ladakh, Dr. SD Singh Jamwal, IPS; various dignitaries including venerable rinpoches, political/religious heads, administrative secretaries, and district officials.

Earlier in the day, the Lieutenant Governor paid homage to martyrs at the Hall of Fame and hoisted the National Flag at Raj Niwas. In the evening, he hosted an 'At Home' function, attended by elected representatives, heads of religious and social organizations, award winners, government officials, and other prominent personalities of Ladakh.