The 69th Independence Day was marked with weapon display at the Polo ground, Leh on the 15th of August.

Chief Executive Councillor Leh Rigzin Spalbar was the Chief Guest of the occasion.  Deputy Commissioner, Leh -Saugat Biswas, Executive Councilor Animal Husbandry-Gyurmet Dorjey, Executive Councilor Tourism-Mohammad Shafi Lassu, SSP Leh-Dr. Sunil Gupta, Religious community heads, Political party leaders and army officers were also present on the occasion.

After the flag hoisting, the CEC was accompanied by SSP Sunil Gupta for the inspection of the Parade.

Rigzin Spalbar termed the day as an important event in the history of India thus making it all the more crucial to remember the freedom fighter of our country for all the sacrifices they made to obtain the freedom. He stressed that we must make a commitment to serve our motherland and do our part of the duty sincerely and be responsible in the development and progress of the nation.

Speaking about the recent calamities of the heavy flood in Ladakh he said that the officers and the volunteers are doing their best to reduce the impact of the disaster by providing assistance in any way to the victims. He mentioned that they have requested the State Govt for financial assistance and this help will be delivered soon.

 

He expressed concern over the less fortunate people of Ladakh. He said that the Hill council in this regard will secure the coming generations of this family by providing them with higher education at the KC group of Institutions with whom they have signed an MOU. He also mentioned about the Dana Petrol Pump that was constructed to provide fund for the less fortunate in the society through fees for medical treatment and educational scholarship.

He also spoke about the communal harmony that has been existent in Ladakh for years and that every individual needs to maintain it. He also said that Leh as a district has progressed rapidly since the inception of Hill Council in 1995.  Lastly, he emphasized upon making an endeavour to build a corruption-free society.

  

Earlier, he congratulated the Education departments of the district for bringing improvement in the education standard of the Govt. schools.  He also congratulated PDD Executive Engineer Tsewang Paljor for being conferred the Chief Minister's Gold Medal for his excellent service in the field.

March past performance by Squads of CRPF, ITBP, JKP, NCCs and various schools of Leh, Choglamsar and Phyang. The band party in the march past included the J&K Police Leh, Govt. Boys Higher Sec. School Leh and Mahabodhi Residential School Choglamsar.

The event had a range of cultural programme performances by the Mahabodhi Residential School Choglamsar, Islamia Public School Leh, Lamdon Sr.Sec School Leh, Govt Middle School Leh, Govt. Girls Higher Sec. School Leh, Information Department Leh, DIET Leh and Cultural Academy Leh.

The occasion also witnessed meritorious students being awarded prize in academics and co-curricular activities that took place this year. Razia Bano of JNV, Tsering Dolma of GHSS Diskit, Rehaam Ahmad of Moravian Mission School, Amit Kumar and Sonu Prajapati of KV School, and Stanzin Yangdol of Govt. High School Basgo was the first position holders in class 12th and 10th CBSE and J&K Board who were given awards.

Prizes were distributed for the Essay Competition held on World Red Cross Day on 8th May. Stanzin Namgyal Utra Madhyamik of CIBS, Paksang Angmo of CIBS and Salim Jan of JNV were awarded first, second and third position respectively.

Students of Class 12th who participated in a Painting Competition and bagged the first three positions Tsering Angmo, Govt. Hr. Sec. School Leh, Stanzin Norboo Centralised Residential School Tharuk, Tsewang Norboo Boys Hr. Sec. School Leh were awarded. Similarly, junior students Rigzin Norboo BHSS Leh and Stanzin Chogzes GHS Nimoo who held first and second prize were also given away trophies.

Painting competition on World Red Cross day had the following students on the first three positions Dechan Angmo of Ladakh Public School, Padma Angmo of Ladakh public School and Skarma Sonam Gyatso of JNV respectively.

The first three positions for the Patriotic Song Competition were given to Farina Kousar from Imamia Model School Leh, Sanjana Kumari of KV Leh and Nawang Lhamo  of Lamdon School.

From the Handloom Department, the top three contestants Sonam Chorol of Tukla, Sonam Dolma of Liktse and Diskit Lamo of Kyungum were awarded sewing machines.

In the end, prizes were distributed for the best cultural programme and March past performance. In March Past Army, Public School Phyang and Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School were the joint winners followed by New Millennium School who were the first runner up and Moravian Mission School were the second runner up. In the Culture Programme performance Lamdon Model Senior Sec. School, Government Girl Higher Secondary Leh and Middle School Skara got the first, second and third position respectively.

Toward the end of the programme, Army Band Display gave an exquisite performance.

 

The event ended with the inauguration of Army’s Weapon Display Exhibition at Polo ground by CEC which was open to the public till 6:00 PM that day. A numerous number of ammunitions, devices and tools used by the army when on duty were on display. 14CESR, 81MM MOR, Reporter Radar, Metal Detectors and Locators, Radar Set, Radio Set, Passive Night Vision Goggles and Binoculars, Hooks and Lines sets. Most of the equipment and ammunitions were made in India, but some were even The USA and Russian made. There were exhibits of basic survival methods in extreme conditions. Snipers equipped with camouflage were also showcased to the civilians.

The sub-divisional HQs, Tehsil HQs, Block HQs and Naibats of Leh district also celebrated the 69th Independence Day with great patriotic fervor.