Author: The Dispatch Staff

Drass: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday launched three projects, including a portal where people can pay ‘e-shradhanjali’ to martyrs, as part of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The others were a QR code-based audio gateway, on which people can listen to the stories of the 1999 Kargil war battles fought, and the Indus Viewpoint, which offers people a chance to go up to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Batalik sector. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year. On this day in 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation…

Leh:  Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday paid tributes to the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War by laying a wreath at the war memorial in Ladakh’s Drass, marking the 26th anniversary of India’s victory in the high-altitude conflict. Standing in the shadow of the mountains where the Indian Armed Forces etched one of their most valiant chapters in history, Khandu described the Kargil victory as not just a military triumph, but also a symbol of unmatched courage and unity. “From the icy winds of Drass to the steep climb of Tiger Hill, our brave soldiers fought not…

Drass:  Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth laid wreaths at the Kargil War Memorial here as the nation paid tributes to its fallen soldiers on Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta also paid floral tributes as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led other top officers of the armed forces in paying homage to the 545 soldiers who laid down their lives during the conflict with Pakistan in 1999. The next of kin of the martyrs and local residents were among the first to lay wreaths at the war memorial as…

New Delhi:  President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying tributes to the armed forces personnel who fought valiantly in harsh conditions to defend India’s territory and handed a crushing defeat to Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil conflict. On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. The day is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas every year. “This day symbolises the extraordinary valor, courage, and steadfast determination of our jawans. Their dedication and…

Kargil: On his first official visit to Kargil district, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, interacted with various public delegations, inspected ongoing developmental activities, and pledged strong action to drive inclusive growth and infrastructure development across the Union Territory. The Lieutenant Governor began his journey from Khaltse Sub-Division, where he held an interactive session with the Heads of Departments (HoDs) to assess departmental functioning and local governance concerns. He was warmly received at Khaltse by Councillor Lobzang Sherab, DC Leh Romil Singh Donk (IAS), and SSP Leh Shruti Arora (IPS), and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the…

Kargil: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, was warmly received by Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, during his first official visit to Kargil district. The visit marks a significant step toward strengthening development initiatives and governance outreach across the region. Senior officials and public representatives joined in welcoming the LG, expressing hope that the visit would bring renewed focus to infrastructure development, public service delivery, and welfare schemes. CEC Dr. Akhoon highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the Hill Council and UT Administration in addressing the region’s priorities — from…

Leh:  Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, chaired a key meeting to review the Draft Commercial Rooftop Solar Policy, aimed at promoting clean, decentralized energy in the region’s commercial sector. The proposed policy, part of Ladakh’s Commercial Solar Scheme, outlines support for installing grid-connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV systems, helping businesses transition to sustainable energy solutions. During the meeting, officials presented key components of the draft, including consumer profiling, eligibility criteria, subsidy structure, energy accounting mechanisms, and implementation strategies. Dr. Kotwal emphasized creating a transparent and inclusive framework, suggesting a “first come, first served”…

Leh: Roads between Tongsted and Warshi that were blocked due to a cloudburst-triggered landslide have been successfully cleared today with coordinated efforts from Leh Police, GREF, and local residents. Authorities confirmed that all tourists who were stranded due to the incident have been safely rescued and escorted back to Leh. The administration has urged travelers to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable areas due to unpredictable weather conditions across the region.

Leh: The Centre’s push for compliance reduction and ease of doing business reached Ladakh as Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, KK Pathak, chaired a high-level consultation meeting in Leh. Joined by Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, the session focused on deregulation and industry feedback to promote entrepreneurship in the Union Territory. The meeting began with an overview of Ladakh’s industrial landscape by Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Sanjeev Khirwar, who outlined the region’s key sectors — tourism, food processing, pashmina, and small-scale manufacturing. He noted that efforts to streamline regulations have been ongoing since 2014, but challenges remain. Entrepreneurs and stakeholders…

Drass : The army on Friday staged a drone show here as part of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, highlighting the technological advancements made in border security since the 1999 war with Pakistan. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives while battling Pakistani intruders in the Kargil area 26 years ago. The drones flew over the arena and showcased their capabilities of undertaking various tasks, including surveillance, deliveries and targeting enemy positions by firing explosives. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles included Logistic Drones that can be…

Leh: ) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday joined thousands of devotees at the revered Karsha Photang in Zanskar to participate in ‘Yarchos Chenmo’, the great summer dharma gathering, hosted by the Karsha Monastery in Ladakh. The sacred congregation witnessed the presence of nearly 30,000 spiritual seekers who assembled under the vast Ladakhi skies to receive teachings from the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Khandu, in a social media post described his encounter with the Dalai Lama in Ladakh as a deeply humbling and spiritually uplifting experience, highlighting the quiet power of compassion and the timeless wisdom…

Leh: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh has announced the launch of a dedicated tutoring program to assist aspirants preparing for upcoming UPSC Gazetted Posts Examinations. The initiative aims to boost the exam readiness of local candidates by providing structured coaching that focuses on General Studies and the Aptitude Test—two crucial components of the UPSC syllabus. The program is designed to strengthen candidates’ foundational knowledge and overall exam strategy. An enrollment form has been made available for interested candidates, marking the first step in what the Council describes as a focused effort to empower Ladakhi youth through competitive…

Korzok: In a major step towards preserving the identity and global market value of Ladakh’s famed Pashmina, a Geographical Indication (GI) Awareness and Association Camp was held today at Korzok village in Nyoma subdivision. Organised by the Sheep Husbandry Department in collaboration with the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), Ministry of Textiles, the camp aimed to educate local Pashmina goat breeders about the importance of the GI tag in ensuring authenticity, quality control, and market recognition. The camp was attended by Executive Councillor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee as chief guest, along with Councillors Karma Namdak (Rupsho) and Thinley Nurboo (Rong), who…

Leh: A two-day Free Geriatric Health Camp was held at the Community Hall, Housing Colony, Leh on July 24–25, organised by the Directorate of Ayush under the National Ayush Mission, UT Ladakh. The camp aimed to promote holistic health for the elderly by offering free Homoeopathic consultations and medicines. Around 80 senior citizens from the local community benefited from the initiative. Dr. Rubina Jabin and Dr. Stanzin Noryang from SNM Hospital provided dedicated care, offering personalised treatment for ailments including joint pain, migraine, IBS, vertigo, high blood pressure, and muscle pain. On the first day, nearly 50 patients sought treatment,…

Leh: A Financial Inclusion Camp was held at Gram Panchayat Gya as part of the nationwide three-month saturation campaign launched by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. The campaign, which began on July 1 and runs until September 30, aims to ensure 100% coverage under key government financial schemes. Organised by State Bank of India, Kharu Branch, in coordination with Punjab National Bank, Kharu and J&K Bank, Upshi, the camp witnessed participation from Amit Kumar, Lead District Officer, Reserve Bank of India, local panchayat officials, and villagers. The programme focused on raising awareness about Re-KYC procedures, enrolment under…

Leh: As part of the ‘Month of Compassion’ initiative, Lead District Manager Leh, Stanzin Dolkar, in collaboration with State Bank of India’s Choglamsar branch, organized a special outreach programme at PAGIR—an organisation working for the differently-abled community. The event focused on financial inclusion and social security, aiming to ensure access to banking and government-backed insurance schemes for the underserved. Assistant General Manager of UTLBC, Tsering Angmo, praised the initiative and stressed the need for sustained outreach to ensure inclusive banking for all sections of society. In a gesture of support, SBI staff sponsored one year’s premium under the Pradhan Mantri…

Leh: In a major step toward improving eye health among children, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed today to roll out Project “Odzer”, an initiative aimed at providing free and high-quality spectacles to all school students across Leh district. The project is a collaboration between LAHDC Leh, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust (Mumbai), and ONESIGHT Essilor Luxottica Foundation (Mumbai). Under the project, all students aged up to 18 years enrolled in government and private schools will be screened for refractive errors. Those in need will receive spectacles completely free of cost. The MoU was signed by LAHDC…

Leh: A new chapter in accessible healthcare began in Ladakh as Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalson flagged off the Sri Sathya Sai Netra Mitra, a free mobile eye clinic van, from the Council Secretariat in Leh. The initiative is part of the nationwide “100 Years of Love and Service” campaign commemorating the birth centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The launch event was attended by Deputy Chairman Tsering Angchuk, Bhikkhu Sanghasena of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Dr. Gopi Krishna Pidatala from Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, National Youth Coordinator Lakshmikant Sharma, and several senior medical officers and stakeholders. The…

Leh: In a significant outreach to the people of Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta during his recent visit to Kargil laid out a vision focused on inclusive development, youth empowerment, and addressing long-pending demands such as statehood. https://youtu.be/Ge6ATGtI8a0 Speaking to media, the LG extended warm greetings to the people of Kargil and acknowledged their contributions to the nation. He emphasized that Ladakh has vast untapped potential, particularly in tourism, and said efforts are being made to open up new avenues for economic growth in the region. “There’s immense scope in Ladakh. Tourism can be a major pillar for the…

Leh: Tucked away in the cold desert of Ladakh, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) is fast becoming India’s premier destination for astro-tourism, thanks to a pioneering model that blends science, sustainability, and local community participation. Spread across 1,072 sq. km, HDSR is a unique initiative led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It is Asia’s first officially notified Dark Sky Reserve and a haven for both amateur and professional astronomers. A key feature of this initiative is the training of 24 Astronomy Ambassadors—two-thirds of…