Leh, June 12: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, on Thursday visited the 5th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Leh and interacted with officers and jawans during her ongoing tour of Ladakh under the Viksit Vibrant Villages Programme (VVVP).
The programme was attended by State Director, MY Bharat Ladakh, Tajamul Ara, officials of MY Bharat and other dignitaries. The interaction began with a welcome address by DIG ITBP Tashi Namgyal, who welcomed the Minister and thanked her for visiting the force stationed in the frontier region.
During her interaction with the personnel, Raksha Khadse lauded the dedication, courage and commitment of ITBP officers and jawans serving in extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain. She acknowledged their sacrifices and praised their crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s borders and maintaining peace and security in remote frontier areas.
The Minister said the discipline, patriotism and spirit of service displayed by the armed forces serve as a source of inspiration for the youth of the country. She also highlighted the objectives of the Viksit Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to strengthen border villages through youth engagement, community participation and sustainable development in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The programme, being conducted across several border villages of Ladakh, includes yoga sessions, cleanliness drives, community interactions, cultural exchanges, awareness campaigns and youth engagement activities. The Minister noted that such initiatives are helping connect young people with border communities while promoting inclusive development.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.
