Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed immense delight over the inauguration of the ‘Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata’ in Leh on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, calling it a significant spiritual and cultural moment for Ladakh. In a message shared after the inauguration, the Prime Minister said the revered relics, linked to the historic Piprahwa Stupa in Kapilavastu and excavated in the closing years of the nineteenth century, embody the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha. He said the exposition offers a rare and valuable opportunity for people across Ladakh to pay their respects…

Leh, May 2: A massive wave of devotion swept through Jivetsal in Leh as nearly 11,000 visitors and devotees gathered on the second day of the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics, creating an extraordinary spiritual atmosphere across the town. People from Nubra, Durbuk, and several remote parts of Ladakh travelled long distances to pay their respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha. Since early morning, long yet शांत and disciplined queues of devotees could be seen stretching across the open grounds of Jivetsal and spilling onto the main approach road. Despite the biting cold winds of Ladakh,…

Leh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Buddha Purnima will be a historic occasion for Ladakh as the sacred relics of Lord Buddha will be made available for public darshan in the region. Sharing the update on social media, Shah said the people of Ladakh will get an opportunity to pay their respects to the holy relics on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. He said he also feels fortunate to have the rare opportunity to seek darshan of the sacred relics. “To ensure that these sacred relics remain easily accessible for darshan by the people of Ladakh…

Leh, Apr 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah received a grand welcome upon his arrival in Leh on Thursday for a two-day visit to Ladakh, where he is scheduled to attend religious and official engagements linked to Buddha Purnima celebrations. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said it was an honour and pleasure to welcome the Home Minister on his arrival and highlighted the significance of the visit for the Union Territory. According to the LG, people from all walks of life, dressed in traditional attire, lined up outside the airport to accord a heartfelt welcome to the Home Minister,…

Pramod Jain, Rinchen Dolma Ladakh, a Union Territory in Northern India, was on the cusp of a significant transformation on August 26, 2024, when the Ministry of Home Affairs announced “in-principle approval” for creation of five new districts in the region namely, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. This historic move is expected to bring governance closer to people, fostering employment and development in the region. The new districts will not only improve the delivery of public services but also unlock a vast potential for the people of Ladakh, transforming it into a thriving and prosperous region. The decision to…

Leh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Ladakh on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the first-ever international exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha being held on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, marking a historic spiritual and administrative moment for the Union Territory. Ahead of his visit, Shah shared a message describing the occasion as a moment of “profound good fortune” and said he would be leaving for Ladakh to participate in the sacred event. “Tomorrow, I will be leaving for Ladakh for a two-day visit. It is a moment of profound good fortune for…

Leh, April 29: Days after the Union Territory Administration announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh, newly appointed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police on Tuesday formally assumed charge in Changthang, Nubra, Sham, Zanskar and Drass, marking the beginning of administrative operations in the newly formed districts. The officers were accorded warm public receptions, ceremonial guard of honours by Ladakh Police, and traditional welcomes by local residents, officials, religious leaders and public representatives across the five districts. In Changthang, Nitish Rajora, IAS, assumed charge as Deputy Commissioner, while Abbas Jaffari, JKPS, joined as Superintendent of Police. They were…

Leh, April 27: Former Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of BJP-led LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, on Monday said that the formal notification for the newly announced districts of Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang is likely to be issued soon following his meeting with Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena. Gyalson called on the Lieutenant Governor at Lok Niwas and held a detailed discussion regarding the immediate notification and operationalisation of the five new districts, which were announced in 2024 to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in Ladakh’s remote and far-flung areas. He said the creation of…

Leh, April 24: PWD Secretary Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary on Friday directed officials to accelerate infrastructure works across Ladakh, stressing strict monitoring, timely completion, and better financial accountability while reviewing the Annual Action Plan under the State Development Plan (SDP)/State Sector Plan for 2026–27. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Public Works (R&B) Department and allied agencies, the Administrative Secretary reviewed a wide range of ongoing and proposed development projects across the Union Territory and called for focused attention on strategically important regions including Nyoma, Nubra, Zanskar, Khaltsi, Drass and Changthang. Expressing concern over delays in the construction of the auditorium at…

Leh, April 24: On the directions of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, a major beautification drive has been launched across Leh Municipal Area to transform the historic town into a clean, vibrant and welcoming destination ahead of the Sacred Exposition of Holy Buddha Relics scheduled from May 2 to 14. With Leh preparing to host thousands of Buddhist devotees, dignitaries and tourists during the sacred exposition, the city has started taking on a festive look as large-scale efforts are underway to enhance its aesthetic appeal and improve the visitor experience. The Lieutenant Governor has specifically directed the beautification…

Leh, April 24: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the new Sound and Light Show at the historic Leh Palace, marking a major step towards promoting cultural and heritage tourism in Ladakh. The project, implemented by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) under the Ministry of Tourism at a cost of Rs 8.57 crore, is aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, promoting night tourism and strengthening the local economy. Leh Palace, one of Ladakh’s most iconic heritage sites, was built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal and…

Leh : India has made a remarkable debut on the global dairy stage, with four Indian products winning medals at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, an international competition for cheese and dairy products. The achievement has brought special attention to Ladakh’s emerging artisanal dairy sector. Among the winners, Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style) earned the prestigious Super Gold medal, marking the highest honour for India at the competition. The Gold medals were secured by Yak Churpi – Soft, Nordic Farm, Leh (Ladakh) and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese), while Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle Style) received a Silver medal. Celebrating…

Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra’s firm directive against unauthorised checkpoints by transport unions in Leh is both timely and necessary. In a region where tourism is the backbone of the economy, even minor disruptions can leave a lasting negative impression on visitors. By clearly stating that law and order is the exclusive domain of the police, the administration has drawn a much-needed line between regulation and overreach. Transport unions, including taxi and biker groups, have long played an important role in organising local mobility and ensuring equitable distribution of work. The token system, for instance, reflects an attempt to maintain fairness…

Leh, April 23: With Ladakh gearing up for the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathagata Buddha, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Thursday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the route from the Technical Airport, Leh, to Jivetsal, Choglamsar, while also leading high-level coordination efforts to fine-tune arrangements for the mega spiritual event. During the inspection, Kundra reviewed preparations at the Technical Airport and interacted with Security Officer Krishan Kumar of 21 Wing Air Force Station, Leh, focusing on logistics and inter-agency coordination to ensure smooth handling of the relics’ arrival and movement. He later inspected the entire route up…

Leh: In a landmark move aimed at transforming Ladakh’s tourism landscape, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved a comprehensive set of “Ease of Doing Business” reforms to deregulate the hospitality sector, reduce compliance burdens and create a unified, transparent and citizen-friendly system for tourism stakeholders. Announcing the reforms through a tweet, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative is designed to simplify procedures for registration of hotels, homestays and tour operators, while eliminating outdated requirements that have long been seen as barriers to entry. To give a major boost to the tourism sector in Ladakh, I have approved major reforms…

Leh: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday made it clear that transport unions cannot set up unauthorised checkpoints or control junctions, asserting that maintaining law and order is solely the responsibility of the police. Chairing a meeting with various transport associations in Leh, the Chief Secretary addressed multiple issues affecting the sector, with a focus on ensuring smooth operations and protecting Ladakh’s tourism-driven economy. Representatives from the Mazda Union, Biker Union, Tempo Union 207, Taxi Operators Union and Transport Federation Cooperative raised concerns regarding membership renewal, cooperative functioning and operational challenges. A key issue…

The decision to establish India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Ladakh marks a timely and necessary shift in how the country approaches heritage protection. Announced around World Heritage Day and led by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the initiative recognises that ancient rock art is not a passive relic but a living archive of human history. Along the banks of the Indus River, where many of these carvings face growing threats, the park offers a structured response to decades of neglect and exposure. Petroglyphs in Ladakh, spread across nearly 400 sites, trace a remarkable continuum—from prehistoric hunting scenes to Buddhist symbolism—reflecting cultural exchange along…

Leh, April 21: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday to press for early approval and execution of key infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening road connectivity in the Union Territory. During the meeting, Saxena highlighted several critical projects requiring intervention from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, stressing their importance for improving connectivity, safety, and economic growth in the region. A major focus of the discussion was the progress of the Zoji-La Tunnel. Gadkari informed that the final breakthrough of the tunnel is…

Leh, April 21: Ladakh’s public transport system is set for a major upgrade with the sanctioning of 33 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme by the Government of India, marking a significant push towards sustainable mobility in the Union Territory. The fleet, comprising 7-metre electric buses tailored for Ladakh’s rugged terrain and high-altitude conditions, is expected to be delivered within a month. The initiative aims to modernise public transport by promoting clean energy, reducing pollution, and improving overall travel efficiency. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena termed the move a major step towards building an eco-friendly transport system in the…

Leh, April 20: Senior Superintendent of Police (Security) Fulzele Piyush Nirakar on Monday reviewed security and logistical preparations for the upcoming Sacred Buddha Relics Exposition in Leh, scheduled from May 1 to May 15. The officer conducted a detailed inspection of key venues, including Jevetsal and the Dharma Centre, assessing arrangements to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the event, which is expected to draw large numbers of devotees, monks, nuns, and visitors from across India and abroad. During the visit, Nirakar reviewed crowd management strategies, including designated visiting hours, entry and exit protocols, and traffic regulation plans around…