Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur unfurled the national flag during the 74^th Republic Day celebration  at the Polo Ground, Leh.

A large number of people also took part in the Republic Day celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur said that with India entering the Amrit Kaal, it is the responsibility of the citizens to take the country on the path of becoming a prosperous and developed nation over the course of the next 25 years.

He emphasised the need to achieve the target of Panch Pran (five pledges) given by the Prime Minister of India. The Panch Pran (pledges) are moving forward with bigger resolves and resolve of a "developed" India; erasing all traces of servitude; taking pride in our legacy; staying united and understanding the duties of citizens. He stated that Ladakh will get the opportunity to showcase its rich culture and heritage to the entire world while hosting cultural events during the G20 summit. LG Mathur stated that the ‘Lifestyle For Environment (LiFE) movement associated with G20 Summit will encourage the citizens to adopt environmentally-conscious practices, greenery and cleanliness.

LG Mathur appreciated the armed and paramilitary forces, police and medical personnel for their selfless service to the nation. He informed about various initiatives taken by the Administration along with both the Hill Councils and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for the overall development of Ladakh in various sectors, viz. infrastructure development, education, health, tourism, primary sector, telecom connectivity, providing potable drinking water through Jal Jeevan Mission, etc. with focus on achieving the mantra of carbon-neutrality. He also informed about efforts being made to develop the skills of the Ladakhi youth to make them employable and enable them to set up their own ventures/enterprises and also steps being taken to overcome the employment issue through various recruitment drives.  

LG Mathur congratulated the sportspersons, entrepreneurs and others from Ladakh for bringing laurels to the region. He urged all the people of Ladakh, PRIs members, Hill Councils and government employees to cooperate for the overall development of Ladakh.

The marching contingents comprised Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBF), UT Ladakh Police (men & women), UT Ladakh Police trainees (men & women), National Cadet Corps (NCC) men & women, NCC Kargil men, ex-Servicemen, dog squad of UT Ladakh Police, Lamdon Model School and Druk Padma Karpo. Three-band parties from Ladakh Scouts Regimental Center, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Leh and 5th Battalion IR 25 women’s band were also part of the contingent.

There were cultural performances from students of different schools of Leh and Kargil and also by cultural troupes from Punjab and Haryana.

Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson; Executive Councillors and Councillors from LAHDC Leh; elected representatives; Advisor Umang Narula; Principal/Commissioner/Secretaries; Deputy Commissioner, Leh; officials from armed and paramilitary forces, police; Head of Departments and district officials were present during the Republic Day celebrations.

Earlier, LG Mathur paid homage to the martyrs at the Hall of Fame.